California vs Arizona
On a $100,000 income and each state’s median home, Arizona costs about $14,202 less per year in state income and property tax combined.
Where the gap is widest
The largest difference between California and Arizona is top income tax rate (13.30% vs 2.50%).
- Top income tax rate: Arizona is lower (13.30% vs 2.50%)
- Income tax on $100k: Arizona is lower ($13,300 vs $2,500)
- Property tax on median home: Arizona is lower ($5,432 vs $2,030)
- Median home price: Arizona is lower ($776,000 vs $423,000)
- Median 2BR rent: Arizona is lower ($2,745 vs $1,709)
Side by side
| Measure | California | Arizona | Which is higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top income tax rate | 13.30% | 2.50% | CA higher |
| Income tax on $100k | $13,300 | $2,500 | CA higher |
| Property tax on median home | $5,432 | $2,030 | CA higher |
| Median home price | $776,000 | $423,000 | CA higher |
| Median 2BR rent | $2,745 | $1,709 | CA higher |
| Max weekly unemployment | $450 | $320 | CA higher |
| Avg home insurance | $1,655 | $1,194 | CA higher |
| Cost of living index | 140.5 | 107.6 | CA higher |
| State sales tax | 7.25% | 5.60% | CA higher |
| Effective property tax | 0.70% | 0.48% | CA higher |
| Median household income | $100,149 | $81,486 | CA higher |
| Minimum wage | $16.90 | $15.15 | CA higher |
State income tax by income level
| Income | California | Arizona | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $3,990 | $750 | +$3,240 |
| $40,000 | $5,320 | $1,000 | +$4,320 |
| $50,000 | $6,650 | $1,250 | +$5,400 |
| $60,000 | $7,980 | $1,500 | +$6,480 |
| $75,000 | $9,975 | $1,875 | +$8,100 |
| $90,000 | $11,970 | $2,250 | +$9,720 |
| $100,000 | $13,300 | $2,500 | +$10,800 |
| $125,000 | $16,625 | $3,125 | +$13,500 |
| $150,000 | $19,950 | $3,750 | +$16,200 |
| $175,000 | $23,275 | $4,375 | +$18,900 |
| $200,000 | $26,600 | $5,000 | +$21,600 |
| $250,000 | $33,250 | $6,250 | +$27,000 |
| $300,000 | $39,900 | $7,500 | +$32,400 |
| $400,000 | $53,200 | $10,000 | +$43,200 |
| $500,000 | $66,500 | $12,500 | +$54,000 |
Property tax by home value
| Home value | California | Arizona | Annual gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,050 | $720 | $330 |
| $200,000 | $1,400 | $960 | $440 |
| $250,000 | $1,750 | $1,200 | $550 |
| $300,000 | $2,100 | $1,440 | $660 |
| $400,000 | $2,800 | $1,920 | $880 |
| $500,000 | $3,500 | $2,400 | $1,100 |
| $600,000 | $4,200 | $2,880 | $1,320 |
| $750,000 | $5,250 | $3,600 | $1,650 |
| $900,000 | $6,300 | $4,320 | $1,980 |
| $1,200,000 | $8,400 | $5,760 | $2,640 |
Cumulative difference over time
| Period | Total difference | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | $14,202 | Arizona ahead |
| 2 years | $28,403 | Arizona ahead |
| 3 years | $42,605 | Arizona ahead |
| 5 years | $71,008 | Arizona ahead |
| 10 years | $142,016 | Arizona ahead |
Income tax figures apply each state’s top marginal rate as a simplification and exclude federal tax, local surtaxes and deductions. Property tax uses each state’s effective rate on its own median home. Sources.
Last reviewed 2026-08-26.