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Moving from District of Columbia to Arizona

A side-by-side comparison drawn from BLS, BEA, Census, FBI, and NOAA. Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living. vs. Sun-belt sprawl, growing tech hubs, retirees love it.

DC
Living now

District of Columbia

Capital: Washington

Median household income $101,722 · winter low 28°F · 197 sunny days

Federal-government nexus, museums, expensive urban living.

AZ state flag
Moving to

Arizona

Capital: Phoenix

Median household income $72,581 · winter low 43°F · 286 sunny days

Sun-belt sprawl, growing tech hubs, retirees love it.

Arizona has an overall price level 100.7 (US avg = 100). Housing dominates the difference.

Overall price index
District of Columbia
109.9
Arizona
100.7
Arizona has 8.4% lower overall price level
Housing index
District of Columbia
155.0
Arizona
106.8
Arizona has 31% lower housing costs
Groceries index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.5
Arizona
100.2
Arizona has 2.3% lower groceries
Utilities index (modeled)
District of Columbia
101.5
Arizona
100.1
Arizona has 1.4% lower utilities
Electricity rate
District of Columbia
25 ¢/kWh
Arizona
15.6 ¢/kWh
Arizona has 38% lower electricity
Transportation index (modeled)
District of Columbia
102.0
Arizona
100.1
Arizona has 1.8% lower transportation
Median home value
District of Columbia
$733,400
Arizona
$426,000
Arizona is 42% cheaper to buy a home
Median monthly rent
District of Columbia
$1,922/mo
Arizona
$1,416/mo
Arizona is 26% cheaper to rent

Sources: NOAA Climate Normals · EPA AirNow (live) state-level

Summer high 105°F · Winter low 43°F · 286 sunny days/yr.

Avg summer high
District of Columbia
88°F
Arizona
105°F
Arizona is 19% more summer highs
Avg winter low
District of Columbia
28°F
Arizona
43°F
Arizona is 54% more winter lows
Avg annual temperature
District of Columbia
57°F
Arizona
62°F
Arizona is 8.4% more annual temperature
Sunny days / year
District of Columbia
197
Arizona
286
Arizona has 45% higher sunny days
Annual precipitation
District of Columbia
45 in
Arizona
13 in
Arizona is 70% less annual precipitation
Air quality (live AQI)
District of Columbia
47
Arizona
48
Arizona has 2.1% higher AQI
Snow / year
District of Columbia
11 in
Arizona
10 in
Arizona is 9.1% less annual snowfall

Get the full District of ColumbiaArizona report

Schools, healthcare, taxes, transportation, lifestyle, crime, family fit, move logistics, AI assistant, and 90-day timeline.

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Frequently asked

Is it cheaper to live in Arizona than District of Columbia?

Arizona's overall price level is roughly 100.7 (US avg = 100), vs about 117.4 for District of Columbia — based on BEA Regional Price Parities. Housing is the dominant driver of the difference. Run a comparison for the full, current breakdown.

What's the income tax difference?

District of Columbia tops out at 10.75% income tax. Arizona tops out at 2.5%.

How long do I have to register my vehicle in Arizona?

Most Arizona residents must register a vehicle within 30-60 days of moving. Check the piomover report for state-specific deadlines.

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