With booming tech and healthcare sectors, stunning outdoor landscapes, and family-friendly communities, Arizona has transformed into a vibrant hub of opportunity for all generations — especial for Millennials from California looking to make a move.
While it remains a haven for retirees, Arizona is also making waves with California Millennials. The state attracted the largest share of millennial movers (26%), followed by Gen Z-ers (20%) and Baby Boomers (18%). The promise of affordable housing, abundant job opportunities, and a lower cost of living is irresistible.
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For many newcomers and Millennials, trading California’s sunny skies for Arizona’s desert is making homeownership a tangible reality. With an average home price of around $321K—less than half the cost of California’s $659K—plus a low individual income tax rate of just 2.5%, it’s easy to see why so many are making the leap.
Highlights from our California to Arizona migration study:
- 173 Californians relocate to Arizona daily, amounting to over 630,000 move-ins over the past decade—a population comparable to that of Tucson.
- 46% of new arrivals purchase a home within their first year in Arizona.
- 91% of former San Diego County residents became homeowners in Yavapai County, a Baby Boomer favorite known for the Prescott National Forest and the World’s Oldest Rodeo.
- The Stockton-to-Phoenix route is especially popular with millennials, with 72% of newcomers owning a home within their first year.
- Californians moving from Los Angeles to Phoenix, the most popular route between the two states, save an average of $361K on a home. Homes in Maricopa County are 49% cheaper than in Los Angeles County ($371,400 vs. $732,200).
- Phoenix remains a favorite for younger movers. The city’s median age is 34.9, compared to Arizona’s overall median age of 39.3.
