Arizona vs California
Side-by-side cost of living comparison.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
5.6%
7.25%
+1.7 pp in California
Income Tax (top rate)
2.50%
13.30%
+10.8 pp in California
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$1,253
$1,688
+35% in California
Median Home Value
$364,300
$771,700
+112% in California
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$77,041
$83,969
+9% in California
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
75.1°F
64.4°F
+10.7°F in Arizona
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/9 cities we track in Arizona/California — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.