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State-to-State Guide

Moving from California to Arizona

Compare cost of living, taxes, housing, and find the best moving companies for your California to Arizona move.

Quick Comparison

Leaving California

Population39.5M
State Income Tax1%-13.3%
Avg Home Price$785,000
Avg Rent$2,200/mo
Property Tax Rate0.76%
DESTINATION

Moving to Arizona

Population7.2M
State Income Tax2.5%
Avg Home Price$410,000
Avg Rent$1,450/mo
Property Tax Rate0.62%

Why Are People Moving from California to Arizona?

The migration corridor between California and Arizona is a popular interstate move. California has been experiencing net outflow while Arizona continues to attract new residents.

Cost of Living: The cost of living in Arizona is significantly lower than California, which is a major draw for relocating families. The average home price in Arizona is $375,000 less than California, allowing movers to significantly upgrade their housing.

Climate & Weather: Summers in Arizona average 106°F, compared to 85°F in California. Winters in Arizona average 55°F, compared to 55°F in California.

Jobs & Industry: Arizona's key industries include Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, which attract professionals from California's Technology and Entertainment sectors.

Popular City-to-City Routes

370 mi
5.5h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-10 East
571 mi
10.4h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-20 East
482 mi
8.8h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-20 East
474 mi
8.6h drive
Los Angeles, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-20 East
355 mi
5h drive
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
via I-8 West
471 mi
8.6h drive
San Diego, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-20 East
406 mi
7.4h drive
San Diego, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-20 East
400 mi
7.3h drive
San Diego, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-20 East
798 mi
14.5h drive
San Jose, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-40 East
926 mi
16.8h drive
San Jose, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-40 East
816 mi
14.8h drive
San Jose, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-40 East
806 mi
14.7h drive
San Jose, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-40 East
849 mi
15.4h drive
San Francisco, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-40 East
978 mi
17.8h drive
San Francisco, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-40 East
866 mi
15.7h drive
San Francisco, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-40 East
856 mi
15.6h drive
San Francisco, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-40 East
639 mi
11.6h drive
Fresno, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-40 East
768 mi
14h drive
Fresno, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-5 South / I-40 East
656 mi
11.9h drive
Fresno, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-40 East
647 mi
11.8h drive
Fresno, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-40 East
825 mi
15h drive
Sacramento, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-5 South / I-80 East
958 mi
17.4h drive
Sacramento, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-5 South / I-80 East
841 mi
15.3h drive
Sacramento, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-5 South / I-80 East
831 mi
15.1h drive
Sacramento, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-5 South / I-80 East
543 mi
9.9h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-40 East
664 mi
12.1h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-40 East
561 mi
10.2h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-40 East
552 mi
10h drive
Bakersfield, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-40 East
438 mi
8h drive
Anaheim, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-20 East
542 mi
9.9h drive
Anaheim, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-20 East
456 mi
8.3h drive
Anaheim, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-20 East
449 mi
8.2h drive
Anaheim, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-20 East
434 mi
7.9h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-20 East
537 mi
9.8h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-20 East
453 mi
8.2h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-20 East
445 mi
8.1h drive
Santa Ana, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-20 East
459 mi
8.3h drive
Long Beach, CA
Phoenix, AZ
via I-20 East
561 mi
10.2h drive
Long Beach, CA
Tucson, AZ
via I-20 East
477 mi
8.7h drive
Long Beach, CA
Mesa, AZ
via I-20 East
469 mi
8.5h drive
Long Beach, CA
Scottsdale, AZ
via I-20 East

Cities in California

Los Angeles

Population4.0M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Diego

Population1.4M
Median Home Price$850,000

San Jose

Population1.0M
Median Home Price$1,200,000

San Francisco

Population874K
Median Home Price$1,400,000

Fresno

Population542K
Median Home Price$340,000

Sacramento

Population525K
Median Home Price$430,000

Bakersfield

Population403K
Median Home Price$340,000

Anaheim

Population350K
Median Home Price$750,000

Santa Ana

Population309K
Median Home Price$700,000

Long Beach

Population467K
Median Home Price$700,000

Cities in Arizona

Phoenix

Population1.6M
Median Home Price$380,000

Tucson

Population543K
Median Home Price$290,000

Mesa

Population504K
Median Home Price$380,000

Scottsdale

Population241K
Median Home Price$700,000

Other Major Cities

Flagstaff

Estimated Moving Cost

Based on the average distance of 616 miles between California and Arizona:

Studio / 1 BR
$1,108
3–4 BR Home
$2,739

Estimates based on typical full-service interstate moves. Actual costs vary.

California → Arizona Transition Checklist

Driver's License

You must obtain a Arizona driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency.

Vehicle Registration

Register your vehicle in Arizona within 15 days.

Voter Registration

Update your voter registration to Arizona after establishing residency. You can typically register at your local DMV or online.

Vehicle Inspection

Arizona vehicle inspection requirement: Emissions only in metro areas.

Things to Know About Arizona

  • • Most of the state does not observe Daylight Saving Time
  • • You must carry proof of insurance at all times
  • • Dust storms (haboobs) require pulling over and turning off lights

What's Different: California vs Arizona

Taxes

California Income Tax:1%-13.3%
Arizona Income Tax:2.5%
California Property Tax:0.76%
Arizona Property Tax:0.62%

Weather

California Summer Avg:85°F
Arizona Summer Avg:106°F
California Winter Avg:55°F
Arizona Winter Avg:55°F

Cost of Living

California COL Index:150
Arizona COL Index:103
California Avg Home Price:$785,000
Arizona Avg Home Price:$410,000
California Avg Rent:$2,200/mo
Arizona Avg Rent:$1,450/mo

Ready to make the move to Arizona?

Get quotes from licensed interstate carriers that regularly run routes between California and Arizona.