Phoenix, AZ
A big metro with a 2.5% flat income tax and prices around half of LA.
Phoenix is one of the largest housing markets people leaving LA consider, and in the most recent Redfin data it was also one of the busiest, with 1,535 homes sold in the month. The typical Phoenix home sold for about $468K, versus about $904K for the typical LA County zip code.
The money picture
| Typical LA County zip | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $904K | $468K |
| Median price per sq ft | $588 | $279 |
| Median days on market | n/a | 52 |
| State income tax on wages | Progressive, top rate 13.3% | 2.5% flat rate (tax year 2026) |
Market figures: Redfin Data Center. Phoenix: May 2026, all residential. LA: median of LA County zip-code medians, Mar 2026 to May 2026. Medians are a rough guide and hide a wide range of homes. Tax rates as published by each state for tax year 2026; rates change, so verify with the state's revenue department.
The typical single-family home sold for about $490K and the typical condo for about $290K. Arizona has a single 2.5% income tax rate, and its property taxes are calculated on a "Limited Property Value" that can only rise by a set percentage each year, a concept that feels familiar to Californians used to Prop 13.
On $200,000 of taxable income, Arizona's 2.5% flat rate works out to $5,000 in state income tax. That ignores deductions, credits, filing status and the year of the move, all of which change the real figure.
What people tend to weigh
- Size and choice. The Valley includes many separate cities, such as Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert and Mesa, each with its own taxes, fees and housing stock. Our Scottsdale guide covers the higher-priced end.
- Climate. Extreme summer heat and mild winters. Cooling costs and a home's orientation matter.
- Housing stock. Lots of single-story homes and newer suburban construction, often in HOA communities.
- Proximity. About five to six hours by car, or a short flight, back to LA.
The move starts with the sale.
Before you land anywhere, your LA home has to sell, and how it sells sets your budget for everything after. The seller's playbook covers timing, California withholding at closing, transfer taxes and the questions to bring your CPA.