Austin vs Phoenix
Two of the places Angelenos weigh most. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Austin, TX | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $570K | $468K |
| Median single-family | $600K | $490K |
| Median condo | $365K | $290K |
| Median $/sq ft | $316 | $279 |
| Median days on market | 47 | 52 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 97.7% | 97.9% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,160 | 3,580 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 77,161 | 52,383 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024.
Taxes
Austin: None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). Phoenix: 2.5% flat rate (tax year 2026). Property tax, insurance and HOA costs vary by address in both places and can matter as much as income tax, so price them for any specific home.
Go deeper
Read the full guides: moving from LA to Austin and moving from LA to Phoenix.
Common questions
Is Austin or Phoenix cheaper?
Phoenix had the lower median sale price, about $468K versus $570K in Austin (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 18% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Austin or Phoenix?
Austin: None on wages (Texas has no personal income tax). Phoenix: 2.5% flat rate (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Austin vs Phoenix?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,160 square feet in Austin and 3,580 in Phoenix, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.