Phoenix vs Reno
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 | Reno, NV | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $468K | $584K |
| Median single-family | $490K | $650K |
| Median condo | $290K | $280K |
| Median $/sq ft | $279 | $330 |
| Median days on market | 52 | 38 |
| Avg sale-to-list | 97.9% | 99.1% |
| Sq ft for $1M (at median $/sq ft) | 3,580 | 3,030 |
| Californians who moved to the state (2024) | 52,383 | 53,289 |
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 $584K in Reno, roughly 20% less (Redfin, May 2026). $1 million covers roughly 3,580 square feet in Phoenix at the median price per square foot, versus about 3,030 in Reno. Reno homes have been moving faster, 38 median days on market versus 52 in Phoenix. Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Nevada has no personal income tax. In 2024 about 52,000 Californians moved to Arizona and about 53,000 to Nevada (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024).
Taxes
Phoenix: 2.5% flat rate (tax year 2026). Reno: None (Nevada has no personal income tax). 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 Reno.
Common questions
Is Phoenix or Reno cheaper?
Phoenix had the lower median sale price, about $468K versus $584K in Reno (Redfin, May 2026), roughly 20% less at the median.
Which has lower state income tax, Phoenix or Reno?
Reno has the lower state income tax. Nevada has no personal income tax. By comparison, Arizona has a 2.5% flat income tax (tax year 2026). Rates change, so confirm with each state and a CPA.
What does $1 million buy in Phoenix vs Reno?
At the median price per square foot, $1 million works out to roughly 3,580 square feet in Phoenix and 3,030 in Reno, versus about 1,700 at the LA median. A rough illustration, not a listing.
