Denver vs Phoenix
Two markets on the list for people leaving LA. Here's how they stack up on price, pace and taxes, measured against what a typical LA home sells for.
| Denver, CO | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $650K | $468K |
| Median single-family | $715K | $490K |
| Median condo | $335K | $290K |
| Median $/sq ft | $367 | $279 |
| Median days on market | 21 | 52 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 99.1% | 97.9% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 2,720 | 3,580 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 19,717 | 52,383 |
Redfin Data Center, May 2026, all residential unless noted. Typical LA County zip for reference: $904K median, $588/sq ft, 44 median days on market. Mover counts: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2024, estimates with margins of error.
The short version
Phoenix is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $468K versus $650K in Denver, roughly 28% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,580 square feet in Phoenix at the median price per square foot, versus about 2,720 in Denver. Denver homes have been moving faster, 21 median days on market versus 52 in Phoenix. Colorado has a 4.4% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). In 2024 about 20,000 Californians moved to Colorado and about 52,000 to Arizona (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Denver: 4.4% flat rate (tax year 2026). 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 Denver and moving from LA to Phoenix.
Common questions
Is Denver or Phoenix cheaper?
Phoenix had the lower median sale price, about $468K versus $650K in Denver (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 28% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Denver or Phoenix?
Phoenix has the lower state income tax. Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). By comparison, Colorado has a 4.4% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Denver vs Phoenix?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 2,720 square feet in Denver and 3,580 in Phoenix, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
