Quick answer
Arizona is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $412,250 versus $721,700. California shows +1.4% population change and Arizona +1.7%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
| Metric | California | Arizona | Phoenix, AZ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $721,700 | $412,250 | $381,900 |
| Median rent | $2,338/mo | $1,795/mo | $1,458/mo |
| Household income | $134,923 | $103,578 | $77,041 |
| Population change | +1.4% | +1.7% | +1.0% |
| Violent crime / 100k (state) | 435 | 383 | 383 |
| Home value ÷ income | 5.3× | 4.0× | 5.0× |
| State wage income tax | Yes | Yes | Yes |
California in numbers
Median home value
$721,700
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$2,338/mo
Household income
$134,923
Violent crime / 100k
435
California, 2025
Population change
+1.4%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+7.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
5.3×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Dorado Hills, CA | 92 | $870,300 | $2,468 | $163,544 | +3.0% |
| Mountain House, CA | 91 | $859,700 | $3,232 | $171,675 | +6.4% |
| North Tustin, CA | 85 | $1,212,400 | $2,397 | $186,250 | +3.6% |
| Eastvale, CA | 84 | $752,000 | $3,065 | $161,322 | +0.8% |
| Folsom, CA | 84 | $702,200 | $2,279 | $139,263 | +1.3% |
| Roseville, CA | 83 | $630,600 | $2,099 | $117,354 | +2.4% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Placer County | 83 | $658,800 | $1,991 | $114,678 | +1.4% |
| El Dorado County | 77 | $640,500 | $1,626 | $106,190 | +0.3% |
| Inyo County | 74 | $338,400 | $1,140 | $72,432 | -0.1% |
| Nevada County | 71 | $602,800 | $1,635 | $84,905 | +0.1% |
| Amador County | 70 | $422,800 | $1,380 | $81,526 | +1.1% |
| San Benito County | 69 | $751,500 | $1,922 | $108,289 | +2.0% |
Arizona in numbers
Median home value
$412,250
Top-scoring places
Median rent
$1,795/mo
Household income
$103,578
Violent crime / 100k
383
Arizona, 2025
Population change
+1.7%
Tracked places + counties
Home value change
+12.0%
State wage income tax
Yes
Home value ÷ income
4.0×
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Creek, AZ | 78 | $576,600 | $2,176 | $134,719 | +7.4% |
| Oro Valley, AZ | 73 | $440,400 | $1,602 | $105,342 | +1.2% |
| Green Valley, AZ | 72 | $264,300 | $1,135 | $58,268 | +3.1% |
| Marana, AZ | 71 | $380,100 | $1,702 | $108,256 | +3.7% |
| Maricopa, AZ | 70 | $338,600 | $1,919 | $94,208 | +5.7% |
| Catalina Foothills, AZ | 69 | $604,100 | $1,332 | $113,201 | +2.3% |
| Place | Score | Home value | Rent | Income | Pop. change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinal County | 71 | $312,100 | $1,417 | $77,588 | +3.7% |
| Yavapai County | 67 | $392,900 | $1,258 | $66,106 | +1.6% |
| Graham County | 66 | $202,700 | $890 | $67,326 | +1.1% |
| Greenlee County | 64 | $136,300 | $570 | $75,239 | -0.3% |
| Yuma County | 58 | $195,700 | $983 | $60,417 | +1.6% |
| Cochise County | 55 | $207,400 | $939 | $58,970 | -0.0% |
Verdict factors to check before you decide
- 1Compare take-home pay after state income tax in both places.
- 2Price the whole address: taxes, insurance, utilities and HOA, not just the listing.
- 3Confirm the exact city, county and school assignment for the address.
- 4Drive the commute at the hours you will actually travel.
- 5Check flood, heat and storm exposure on official maps.
- 6Compare crime at the jurisdiction level, then visit at night.
- 7Line up a job or client base before you sign a lease.
Frequently asked questions
Moving From California to Arizona in 2027?
Arizona is the lower-cost option on housing: the median home value across the app's top-scoring places is $412,250 versus $721,700. California shows +1.4% population change and Arizona +1.7%. Neither is "better" for everyone — the right answer depends on your income, job, commute and the exact county you choose.
What are the best places to live in California?
In the Smart Movers Club app, the top-scoring California cities are El Dorado Hills, Mountain House, North Tustin, Eastvale, Folsom, and the top counties are Placer County, El Dorado County, Inyo County, Nevada County. Scores combine income, housing, growth, employment and education.
Does California have a state income tax?
Yes, California taxes wage income. Check the state revenue department for current rates and compare property and sales taxes too.
Where does this data come from?
Figures come from the Smart Movers Club app, which compiles U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates and FBI state crime rates. Census figures are survey estimates, not live listing prices.
