Taxes, cost of living, and financing your move — the real numbers, not the marketing version
Thinking about relocating to Arizona? You're far from alone. Jared Halbert at Brick Mortgage has helped families move to the East Valley from all over the country, and this guide covers what actually matters when you're financing a home from out of state — plus a straight look at what it really costs to live here.
Call (480) 565-2223 or apply online to start your pre-approval before you move.
"Buying my first home was made so much easier and less stressful with the help of Jared and Brick Mortgage. Jared always made himself available for questions, and made each step seamless! I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a home loan!"
by Karlee
"The experience we had with Jared was quite painless and exceeded our expectations. Jared is super knowledgeable and super responsive with the questions that came up through the process. Jared and Brick Mortgage communicated well and I'll definitely go back to Jared the next time I have mortgage needs."
by Todd
Jared was born and raised in Mesa, AZ and currently we are located in Queen Creek, AZ.
We commit to treating all our our clients like family.
We shop multiple lenders to get our clients the best rate available.
Arizona's East Valley is in the middle of one of the biggest growth periods in its history, driven largely by major employers relocating or expanding here. Intel's $20 billion expansion in Chandler, TSMC's $265 billion commitment to North Phoenix chip manufacturing, and Boeing's helicopter production in Mesa are drawing thousands of engineers, technicians, and support staff to the region every year. On top of that, Queen Creek and San Tan Valley remain among the fastest-growing communities in the entire country. Whether you're relocating for one of these jobs or just looking for a lower cost of living and more sunshine, you're moving into a market with real economic momentum behind it.
One of the most concrete financial benefits of moving to Arizona is the state income tax. Arizona has a flat 2.5% income tax rate — the lowest flat rate of any state that taxes income. For comparison, California's top income tax rate is 13.3%. That difference alone can mean thousands of dollars back in your pocket every year, depending on your income. Property tax rates in Arizona also run lower than in many other states, at roughly 0.62% of assessed value on average.
The numbers vary depending on where you're moving from, but the pattern is consistent: Arizona is meaningfully cheaper than most major coastal metros. Phoenix runs about 24% cheaper than Los Angeles overall, and California's cost of living index sits at 142.2 compared to Arizona's 102.2, where 100 represents the national average. Housing is where the gap is most dramatic — the median home price in California is around $785,000, compared to roughly $445,000-$460,000 in the Phoenix metro. Groceries, childcare, and transportation also run noticeably cheaper here.
That said, it's worth being honest about the trend: Arizona has gotten more expensive over the past several years. Home insurance premiums are up sharply, summer electric bills routinely run $300-$500 in the Phoenix area, and auto insurance has climbed too. Arizona is still a real financial upgrade for most people relocating from higher-cost states, but it's not quite the bargain it was a few years ago — worth factoring into your budget rather than assuming yesterday's numbers still apply.
Buying a home from another state adds a few extra considerations, and this is where having a lender who handles relocations regularly makes a real difference:
Get pre-approved before you move. If your move is tied to a new job, we can often start your pre-approval using your offer letter and projected start date, so you're ready to make an offer as soon as you find the right home — rather than losing time to a slow mortgage process once you've already relocated.
Out-of-state income and assets are normal, not a complication. Whether your income is coming from a new Arizona employer, a remote job you're keeping, or self-employment, we document it the same way regardless of which state it originates from.
Remote signing options exist for parts of the process. Arizona allows remote online notarization, which can simplify certain steps of a transaction for people who aren't yet physically in the state. Loan closing requirements vary by loan program, so ask us directly what's possible for your specific situation — we'll tell you plainly what can be done remotely and what still requires you to be present.
Every part of the East Valley has a different feel, price point, and economic driver. A quick starting point:
Not sure which fits your situation? Tell us your budget, work location, and priorities, and we can point you in the right direction — even before you're ready to talk financing.
Ready to start your move to Arizona? Apply online or call (480) 565-2223 — we'll help you figure out the financing side while you focus on the move itself.
Ready to see what you qualify for in the Phoenix area? Apply online or call (480) 565-2223 — no hassle, no obligation.
Jared Halbert – Home Loans – Brick Mortgage LLC
18606 E Via De Palmas, Queen Creek, AZ 85142
📞 (480) 565-2223
Proudly serving Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler, San Tan Valley, and surrounding Arizona communities.
An easy way to know your next step
Break down the terms and acronyms that will be used
Learn what loan options are available
Learn about current topics and trends
Keep an eye on your process and stay on track
Ask questions and learn more to get started
Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday - Closed