Got a job lined up in Arizona or thinking about starting a new life in the desert? Both California and Arizona are close-knit neighbors, but there’s a ton that differentiates the two western states. Famous for its expansive desert landscapes, colorful sunsets, yearlong sunshine, and explosive growth, Arizona has attracted residents from all over the country.
Why move from California to Arizona in 2019?
Swapping the Golden State for the Grand Canyon State comes with a long list of benefits. Other than trading in smog-filled skies for clear blue stretches, where else does Arizona beat out California? Read on!
Cost of Living
Since receiving statehood nearly 100 years ago, Arizona’s population has grown 3,400%! Much of this growth has happened since the 1970s, when air conditioning became more common. A large part of Arizona’s attraction is due to a well known low cost of living.
Compared to California, average rents and daily costs in Arizona are a steal. In fact, CNN’s Cost of Living Calculator estimates that a salary of $100,000 in San Francisco will buy you the same as $50,000 in Phoenix. The same $100k salary in San Diego amounts to $65,000 in Phoenix. This is because the cost of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and health care are significantly less in Arizona.
Bonus: Arizona’s income tax is nearly half that of California’s.
Natural Disasters
From north to south, California is known as a magnet for natural disasters. Moving from California to Arizona, you can rest assured that you won’t be struck by damaging earthquakes or forest fires.
Arizona is buffered from the Pacific coast by both Mexico and California. The state is also firmly situated on bedrock, safe from earthquakes you can actually feel. Most of the population lives in the Phoenix valley, where there isn’t much vegetation to burn in wildfires. All these safeguards mean Arizona rarely attracts natural disasters, having only had three since 1953. In comparison, California has had 50 in the same period, making it the most disaster prone state in the USA.
Traffic
California is famous for its warm southern beaches, celebrity culture, and diverse metropolises. However, California also takes best in show for crazy, long commutes and traffic congestion.
Out of all cities in the United States, Los Angeles and San Francisco take top place as the most congested cities for traffic. San Jose follows at number five. The first Arizona city doesn’t appear on the list until Tucson, which takes #26. The most populous Arizona city, Phoenix, enjoys freed up highways and short drives at 47th place in the traffic list.
If you dream of affordable housing only a few blocks from work, Arizona is definitely a good place to check out.
Job Growth
Moving from California to Arizona also comes with plenty of job opportunities. The state ranks third in the country for job growth, with a rate of double the national average. While still ahead of the national curve, California’s job growth rate is slightly behind at 16th place.
Sectors, such as financial services, technology, and healthcare, have been booming in recent years, drawing talent from around the country.
If you can bear a few months of heat, low living costs, short drives, and photogenic mountains, Arizona has much to offer. You’ll also be just a quick drive or flight from California, so you can still enjoy the beautiful state, minus the notorious I-5 traffic every day.
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