Moving to Arizona statistics (2024 data)

How many people move to Arizona?

In 2023, 256,203 people moved to Arizona, while 193,670 moved out, representing an influx of 62,533 residents. While the state has been a popular move-in destination for some time, 2022 was a particularly successful year with 282,729 new movers, giving it the fourth highest proportion of new residents in the country.

In fact, between 2010 and 2020, Arizona experienced a net migration of 456,740 new residents, constantly having more move-in than leave. According to a recent ConsumerAffairs study based on a sample of 143,506 ConsumerAffairs.com users who expressed an interest in moving between January 2023 and March 2024, Arizona ranked eighth among prospective movers.

Top 5 cities that people moved to in Arizona

Arizona ranks as the 35th best U.S. state to move to in 2024 based on a series of factors like affordability and safety. This is juxtaposed to the fact that it was also named the eighth most-desired state to move to between 2023 and 2024. The contrast between the number of migrants moving to the state and its current desirability may be attributed to a high cost of living combined with a lower-than-average median household income. Despite this, many popular cities and towns are still attracting new residents.

Phoenix attracted the most new residents across Arizona, adding 41,855 between 2020 and 2023. Queen Creek Town only gained 17,039 — however, the town’s smaller overall population means it experienced the highest percentage increase in new residents (28.6% growth). All of the most popular towns and cities are centered around Phoenix, showcasing the city’s incredible growth in recent years.

The top five cities people moved to in Arizona between 2020 and 2023 were as follows:

Why do people move to Arizona?

There are many reasons why people are moving to Phoenix, Arizona, specifically. Aside from the state’s growing economy, many movers are attracted to the idea of California sunshine without California prices. In fact, between 2017 and 2021, 63,409 new Arizona residents moved from the Golden State, or 24.2% of all domestic migrants.

However, job opportunities are still the primary factor driving people to move to Arizona. Though it still lags behind states like New York or California, Arizona is now home to 10 Fortune 500 companies and growing. Since 2020 alone, four new companies have been added to the list. In 2024, the largest Arizona industries include trade, transportation, and utilities, education and health services, and professional and business services. These three industries combined account for over 50% of the state’s nonfarm workers.

Arizona housing statistics

With a median rent price of $1,880.70 and a median home sale price of $463,500, renters and homeowners can expect to pay just slightly more than the national median for housing in Arizona.

However, Arizona also has the 11th lowest property tax rate in the U.S., at 0.63%, or less than half that of Kansas or Michigan. States with similar rates include Delaware (0.61%) and Arkansas (0.64%).

In 2021, the average property owner in Maricopa County (Phoenix, AZ) paid $1,734 in annual property taxes. In general, the average property tax paid in Arizona is far less than in other states, with all counties paying an average of less than $2,000 annually, and some counties paying under $1,000.

Cost-of-living statistics in Arizona

Arizona’s cost-of-living index is 107.2, making it more expensive than the national average. For example, the average price of gas in the state is $3.67, or 12.6% more expensive than the U.S. average ($3.26). Despite being a less green state than its neighbor, Colorado, Arizona still averages higher gas prices. Nationally, it ranks as the 42nd greenest state in the country.

Despite having a higher-than-average cost of living, Arizona’s median household income of $74,643 is just slightly below the national average of $75,358. Unemployment (3.3%) is also less than the national average of 4.2%.

Arizona’s high cost of living can be attributed to both the availability of resources and the growing popularity of cities like Phoenix. Located in the center of the Sonoran Desert, the city’s natural growth faces challenges from the extreme climate, which likely raises the cost of living. Whether the state’s median household income will catch up to rising prices remains to be seen.

Who lives in Arizona?

Approximately 7,431,344 people live in Arizona as of 2023, making it the 14th largest state in the nation. Between 2022 and 2023, the population increased by 273,442 people.

Arizona’s population is split fairly evenly male (49.9%) and female (50.1%). In 2023, about 3.71 million Arizona residents were male, and 3.72 million were female.

On average, Arizona’s population is also slightly older (39.2 years old) than the U.S. average of 38.9 years. However, those between 25 and 29 years old still account for the largest share of Arizonans by age at 6.7% of the population.

The vast majority of Arizona residents are either white or Hispanic. White residents account for roughly 81.5% of the population (approximately 6.06 million people), while Hispanic residents account for 31.6%. Please note that those who identify as white in Arizona are divided between the roughly 2.09 million who do identify as Hispanic and the 3.97 million who don’t. This is followed by Black, American Indian and Asian residents, at 5.7%, 5.2% and 4.1%, respectively.

Tips for moving to Arizona

Not sure how to start your move to Arizona? Consider these step-by-step moving tips:

1. Understand the cost of living

Arizona’s cost-of-living index is higher than the national average, especially in popular move-in destinations like Phoenix and Scottsdale. However, costs may be lower in the countryside and are still typically less than those found in states like California. Before making your move, research the median housing prices, property taxes and utility costs in your desired area. You can utilize resources like Arizona.gov to develop a budget.

2. Explore the job market

In major hubs like Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona offers a diverse economy and abundant career paths. This includes job opportunities in technology, health care, education and more. Comparatively, rural areas may offer opportunities focused on agriculture and tourism. Before relocating, you can get a feel for what’s available in your field by exploring job listings and resources provided by the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

3. Prepare for the desert climate

Home to the Sonoran and Yuma deserts, Arizona is famous for hot, dry summers that often exceed 100 degrees. To prepare for the heat, we recommend investing in proper clothing, sun protection and ways of staying hydrated. Air conditioning is also a must. Keep up to date with your prospective area’s regular weather patterns here.

4. Research transportation options

If you plan on moving to a major city like Phoenix, there may be public transportation options available to you. However, Arizona's extensive toll-free highways make commuting by personal vehicle the most popular choice. Whether you want more information on public transit or simply want to prepare for the occasional dust storm, you can visit the Arizona Department of Transportation website.

5. Be aware of natural hazards

From wildfires and haboob dust storms to even flash flooding in the monsoon season, Arizona is prone to a wide variety of natural hazards. Before making your move, research common hazards in your local area. You can stay informed by signing up for alerts from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.

6. Explore natural landmarks

From the Grand Canyon to the petrified forest, Arizona hosts breathtaking beauty unique to anywhere else on Earth. Embrace the desert by exploring scenic trails, camping under the stars or even rock climbing for the first time. Plus, these activities offer great opportunities for making new friends. Visit the Arizona Parks and Recreation website for more information.

7. Understand mover quotes and tipping

When moving to Arizona, carefully review and compare moving company quotes. Be sure to account for potential additional fees depending on where you’re relocating to. Tipping movers is customary; a tip of 10% to 20% of the total cost is standard based on the quality of service.