Phoenix vs Raleigh
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.
| Phoenix, AZ | Raleigh, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $468K | $424K |
| Median single-family | $490K | $534K |
| Median condo | $290K | $334K |
| Median $/sq ft | $279 | $231 |
| Median days on market | 52 | 32 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 97.9% | 98.9% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,580 | 4,330 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 52,383 | 18,428 |
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
Raleigh is the less expensive of the two at the median, about $424K versus $468K in Phoenix, roughly 9% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 4,330 square feet in Raleigh at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,580 in Phoenix. Raleigh homes have been moving faster, 32 median days on market versus 52 in Phoenix. Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). In 2024 about 52,000 Californians moved to Arizona and about 18,000 to North Carolina (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Phoenix: 2.5% flat rate (tax year 2026). Raleigh: 3.99% flat rate (tax year 2026), scheduled to step down further. 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 Phoenix and moving from LA to Raleigh.
Common questions
Is Phoenix or Raleigh cheaper?
Raleigh had the lower median sale price, about $424K versus $468K in Phoenix (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 9% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Phoenix or Raleigh?
Phoenix has the lower state income tax. Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). By comparison, North Carolina has a 3.99% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Phoenix vs Raleigh?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,580 square feet in Phoenix and 4,330 in Raleigh, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
