Compare states / California → Arizona
CA → AZ
Compare California and Arizona
California’s top income-tax rate of 13.3% is 10.8 points above Arizona’s 2.5%; at $120,000 of single-filer income the bracket estimate is $7,599 a year versus $3,000. The median home in California is valued at $778,217, about 83% more than Arizona’s $425,807. California charges more on both counts: 8.99% average combined sales tax against 8.52%, and a 0.70% effective property-tax rate against 0.48%. For the outdoors, California has 9 national parks to Arizona’s 3.
Moving the other way (Arizona to California)? The same numbers apply—swap the columns.
Deadlines and checklists on this page are for arriving in Arizona; for California, see the California page.
Data: California (ftb.ca.gov, dmv.ca.gov); Arizona (azdor.gov, azdot.gov); Tax Foundation 2026, Experian/Zillow, Census, FBI, NPS. Jump to sources · Methodology
Taxes, housing, and other important data at a glance
| California | Arizona | |
|---|---|---|
| Top state income-tax rate | 13.3% | 2.5% |
| Average sales tax (state + local) | 8.99% | 8.52% |
| Average property tax (real estate) | 0.70% | 0.48% |
| Personal property tax (vehicles) | Yes — 0.65% effective | Yes — 1.68% effective |
| Social Security tax | No | No |
| Estate tax | No | No |
| Inheritance tax | No | No |
| Minimum wage | $16.90 | $15.15 |
| Median home value | $778,217 | $425,807 |
| Tax when you title a car | 7.25% | 5.60% |
| State parks | 89 | 24 |
| National parks | 9 | 3 |
| Population density | 252.5/sq mi | 68.0/sq mi |
| Violent crime per 100,000 | 486.0 | 421.9 |
| Demographics | 32.5% White (non-Hispanic) 41.2% Hispanic 6.4% Black 17.5% Asian | 53.4% White (non-Hispanic) 32.1% Hispanic 4.8% Black 3.7% Asian |
| Days to get a license | 10 | 10 |
| Days to title a car | 20 | 15 |
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from California to Arizona?
California: 1%–12.3%, plus 1% over $1M (13.3% top). Arizona: Flat 2.5%. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,599 in California vs $3,000 in Arizona. If you earned in both states this year, see CA tax agency and AZ tax agency.
Estimate your state income tax in California and Arizona
This uses 2026 single-filer brackets (top listed 13.3% vs 2.5%), minus a $4,300 exemption per dependent. It is not your actual tax bill.
Vehicle title, registration, and tax in Arizona
New residents of Arizona typically have 15 days to title and register. Inspection: Emissions in Maricopa & Pima. The title-tax rate used here is 5.60%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,616.00 (tax $1,568.00 + title $4.00 + registration $32.00 + plate $12.00). County and weight fees are omitted on purpose.
Estimate what you’ll pay to title the car in Arizona
Title fee + plate + base registration + 5.60% tax. County extras are not included.
Driver’s license in Arizona
After you become an Arizona resident, you typically have 10 days to get an Arizona driver license. Bring your California license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Arizona. Agencies often ask for two proofs; the exact list is on the official Arizona DMV. California plates are not a substitute for Arizona registration once the title clock runs out.
New-resident checklist: California to Arizona
- Get an AZ driver license within 10 days. Bring your CA license, Social Security number, and proof you live in Arizona (agencies often ask for two proofs; use the official Arizona DMV list).
- Title and register the car within 15 days. Inspection: Emissions in Maricopa & Pima.
- Make sure car insurance meets 25/50/15.
- Register to vote. Typical close: 29 days before an election. Arizona elections site.
- If you earned money in both states this year, you may need to file in both. CA tax agency · AZ tax agency.
- Arizona is in the nurse compact; California is not. You may still need an AZ license if you change primary residence.
Biggest differences in moving from California to Arizona
- Top listed income-tax rate: 13.3% in California vs 2.5% in Arizona (lower in Arizona).
- Arizona is in the nurse compact; California is not. You may still need an AZ license if you change primary residence.
- New residents of Arizona typically have 10 days to get a driver license (in California, the window is 10 days).
- Title the car in Arizona within 15 days. California plates are not a substitute once that clock runs.
- Arizona title-tax rate used here is 5.60%. On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,616.00 (county extras omitted).
Common questions
Will my state income tax go up or down if I move from California to Arizona?
The top listed rate goes down: 13.3% in California vs 2.5% in Arizona. At $120,000 yearly income and 0 dependents, the bracket estimate is $7,599 in California vs $3,000 in Arizona. Actual bills depend on income, filing status, local tax, credits, and residency timing. This uses 2026 single-filer brackets after a $4,300 exemption per dependent.
Can I keep a compact RN license if I move from California to Arizona?
Arizona is in the nurse compact; California is not. You may still need an AZ license if you change primary residence.
How many state and national parks are in California vs Arizona?
California has 89 state parks and 9 national parks. Arizona has 24 state parks and 3 national parks. State-park counts are units each state officially designates as state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, wildlife areas, forests, and similar non-park units omitted). National parks are National Park Service units designated National Park, counted in each state they sit in.
When is the kindergarten cutoff in Arizona compared with California?
California uses September 1. Arizona uses August 31. Districts may set their own date; confirm with the local school.
How much is vehicle sales tax in Arizona compared with California?
Arizona title-tax rate used here is 5.60% (7.25% in California). Title the car in Arizona within 15 days (20 days in California). On a $28,000 vehicle, estimated state charges are $1,616.00 (county extras omitted).
How does property tax in Arizona compare with California?
Effective real-estate property tax: 0.70% in California vs 0.48% in Arizona.
How do home values in Arizona compare with California?
The median home value is $778,217 in California vs $425,807 in Arizona.
Related moves
Also see Arizona and California on their own. Moving from Arizona to California instead? This page covers that move too; use “Swap columns” at the top.
California → Texas · California → Nevada · California → Washington · California → Oregon
Your move
Sources
Compiled 2026. Statewide figures; counties can differ.
- Top state income-tax rate. Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026.
- Average sales tax (state + local). Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, January 2026.
- Average property tax (real estate). Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026.
- Personal property tax (vehicles). WalletHub, Property Taxes by State, 2026 (vehicle table).
- Social Security tax. California does not tax Social Security benefits (CA tax agency); Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits (AZ tax agency).
- Estate tax. California has no state estate tax (CA tax agency); Arizona has no state estate tax (AZ tax agency).
- Inheritance tax. California has no state inheritance tax (CA tax agency); Arizona has no state inheritance tax (AZ tax agency).
- Minimum wage. California $16.90; Arizona $15.15.
- Median home value. Experian / Zillow, Median Home Values by State, March 2026.
- Tax when you title a car. California 7.25%; Arizona 5.60%.
- State parks. California 89; Arizona 24. Official designated state parks (historic sites, recreation areas, and similar units omitted).
- National parks. National Park Service, National Park System (units designated National Park on the National Park Service system list; parks that sit in more than one state are counted in each; CA 9, AZ 3).
- Population density. U.S. Census Bureau PopClock, people per sq. mi. · state population estimates.
- Violent crime per 100,000. FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 2024 (state rates table).
- Demographics. U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (CA vs AZ: White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Black, Asian).
- Days to get a license. California 10 days; Arizona 10 days.
- Days to title a car. California 20 days; Arizona 15 days.
Data last updated: September 2026. How the data is compiled