MoveCheck

Moving from Arizona

Arizona has been one of the fastest-growing states in the country, drawing residents from California and the Northeast.

  • But it also has significant outbound traffic — primarily toward California, reflecting residents who find Arizona's own housing costs have risen faster than expected.
  • This page covers every Arizona-origin route we track.
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Arizona at a Glance

Taxes

State income tax2.5%
State sales tax5.6%
Property tax (eff.)0.48%

Climate

Avg annual temp60°F
Annual precipitation13″

Hot desert climate with dry heat, sunny skies, and mild winters.

Cost of Living

COL index107.6 (US=100)
Avg electric bill$160/mo

Why People Move from Arizona

Arizona's cost of living index of 107.6 is somewhat above the national average, but Phoenix and Scottsdale have seen rapid appreciation — parts of the Valley now rival mid-tier California markets.

  • The state income tax has been cut to a flat 2.5%, but property taxes and HOA fees in new developments add costs many residents didn't anticipate.

The summer heat is also a genuine quality-of-life factor: Phoenix regularly sees 30–40 days above 110°F, and air conditioning runs essentially year-round.

  • Some residents who moved to Arizona for affordability find the summer months limiting enough to start looking for moderate-climate alternatives.

Popular Routes Moving from Arizona

Arizona → CaliforniaArizona → AlaskaArizona → AlabamaArizona → ArkansasArizona → ColoradoArizona → ConnecticutArizona → Washington D.C.Arizona → DelawareArizona → FloridaArizona → GeorgiaArizona → HawaiiArizona → IowaArizona → IdahoArizona → IllinoisArizona → IndianaArizona → KansasArizona → KentuckyArizona → LouisianaArizona → MassachusettsArizona → MarylandArizona → MaineArizona → MichiganArizona → MinnesotaArizona → MissouriArizona → MississippiArizona → MontanaArizona → North CarolinaArizona → North DakotaArizona → NebraskaArizona → New HampshireArizona → New JerseyArizona → New MexicoArizona → NevadaArizona → New YorkArizona → OhioArizona → OklahomaArizona → OregonArizona → PennsylvaniaArizona → Rhode IslandArizona → South CarolinaArizona → South DakotaArizona → TennesseeArizona → TexasArizona → UtahArizona → VirginiaArizona → VermontArizona → WashingtonArizona → WisconsinArizona → West VirginiaArizona → Wyoming

Arizona DMV & Registration

Arizona requires you to update your driver's license within 30 days of establishing residency in another state.

  • Arizona is one of the few states that issues a title directly rather than through a lienholder — if your car is financed, verify with your lender whether a new title needs to be issued in your destination state.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common destinations for people moving from Arizona?

California is by far the most common destination from Arizona.

  • Many of these moves are California-originated residents returning to California after a stint in Arizona.
  • Colorado (cooler climate, similar outdoor amenities) and Texas are also significant destinations.

How much does a move from Arizona cost?

Moves to California run $2,000–$5,000.

  • Moves to Colorado or Texas run $1,500–$4,000.
  • Longer moves to the East Coast run $3,500–$8,000.
  • Fall through spring offers more comfortable moving conditions and often lower rates than Arizona's brutal summer season.

Does Arizona have a flat income tax?

Yes.

  • Arizona passed a flat income tax of 2.5% effective 2023 — one of the lowest in the country for states with income taxes.
  • File a part-year Arizona return for the year of the move.

What is the summer climate like in Arizona?

Phoenix's average July high temperatures exceed 106°F, and heat waves above 115°F are not rare.

  • Moving in summer (June–August) means coordinating with movers working in extreme heat and potential vehicle overheating.
  • October through April is the preferred moving window.

How is Arizona's real estate market compared to five years ago?

Phoenix metro home prices approximately doubled between 2019 and 2023, driven partly by California migration.

  • The median home price is now $400,000+, significantly higher than a few years ago but still well below California medians.
  • The affordability advantage has narrowed considerably for new buyers.