Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Phoenix, AZ
Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Phoenix, AZ covers 391 mi and about 7h 7m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
391 mi Β· 7h 7m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 10 EXPR, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Inglewood, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | Phoenix | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 103.316, putting Phoenix roughly 9.0% below Los Angeles on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Phoenix: 9.0% below Los Angeles on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Phoenix -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 73Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 44Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 8.9" |
Phoenix runs 8.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (63.8Β°F vs 72.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 1,624,832 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $77,041 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 2.7 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Phoenix MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Phoenix average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Phoenix sees only 8.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Phoenix compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $410,169 in Phoenix vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 56.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Phoenix, AZ from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 391 mi and the route typically takes 7h 7m via I 10 and I 10 EXPR. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Phoenix?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 391 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Phoenix more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Phoenix is 9.0% lower than Los Angeles (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Los Angeles vs Phoenix?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,041 in Phoenix vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 4.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Phoenix compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Phoenix, AZ.