Side by side
What changes when you move from Phoenix
| Phoenix | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | More than 100 days a year above 100 degrees | Summer highs in the 70s at the coast, warmer inland, with ocean breezes |
| Getting back | Home | About an hour by air, or about five and a half hours by car on Interstate 8 |
| State income tax | A low flat rate | California taxes income at rates that rise with income. Where you are a resident matters, so plan with your CPA |
| Property tax | Based on assessed value with limited annual increases | Set by your purchase price under Proposition 13, with assessed value rising no more than 2 percent a year |
| Housing | Newer homes, large lots, golf communities | Higher prices and smaller lots near the coast. Golf, land and newer homes inland |
| Second homes | Mountain cabins up north | A condo or cottage near the beach for June through September |
General comparisons at the time of writing. Tax rules change, so confirm with your CPA.
Neighborhood matchmaker
San Diego neighborhoods that feel like home
No two places are the same, but these are the areas our clients from the Phoenix area ask about most. The quiz will refine the list to fit you.
If you love Paradise Valley
Look at Rancho Santa Fe
Estates on acreage, with golf, privacy and mountain or valley views.
If you love North Scottsdale golf communities
Look at Rancho Santa Fe, La Costa in Carlsbad, and Rancho Bernardo
Country-club living with courses close by.
If you love Arcadia or the Biltmore
Look at Point Loma, Mission Hills and La Jolla
Established neighborhoods with character and a central location.
If you love Old Town Scottsdale
Look at Little Italy, Pacific Beach and Coronado
Restaurants and nightlife on foot, in a lock-and-leave home.
If you love Gilbert or Chandler
Look at 4S Ranch, San Marcos and Otay Ranch
Newer planned communities with parks, pools and good schools.
If you love A summer place
Look at Coronado, La Jolla, Carlsbad and Oceanside
Condos and cottages near the sand that are easy to close up when you go home.
The money side
Equity, taxes and what your budget buys
The numbers are different here, and it helps to know that going in. A budget that buys a large home with a pool in Scottsdale buys a smaller home or a condo near the beach in San Diego. What you are paying for is the coast, and coastal land has held its value over the long run. Decide early whether this will be your primary residence or a second home, because that changes your loan terms and your state tax position. Arizona residents who keep their main home in the Valley and summer here should talk with a CPA about California's residency rules. Either way, Proposition 13 keeps your California property tax bill predictable.
For a closer look at jumbo loans, property taxes, 1031 exchanges and how to hold title, see buying at the top of the San Diego market.
How to make the move without the stress
Narrow it to three areas
Take the quiz, read the area guide, and tell us what your days look like. We will suggest places you may not have considered.
Set the order of operations
Sell first, buy first, or bridge between the two. We map it with a lender before anything is listed.
Come for one focused weekend
We plan the route, the showings and the coffee stops. You see each area at the times of day that matter.
Handle the rest from home
Video tours, electronic signatures and a mobile notary mean you only travel when you want to.
Phoenix to San Diego
Questions we hear from Phoenix buyers
Is San Diego more expensive than Phoenix?
Yes. Home prices in San Diego are well above Phoenix and Scottsdale, especially near the coast. Buyers from Arizona usually trade lot size and square footage for weather and the ocean, or choose inland areas such as Poway and San Marcos for more space.
How far is San Diego from Phoenix?
About 355 miles. The drive on Interstate 8 takes about five and a half hours, and nonstop flights take about an hour.
Where do Arizona buyers purchase second homes in San Diego?
Coronado, La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Carlsbad and Oceanside are popular for summer homes. Condos near the beach are common because they are simple to lock up and leave. Check the homeowners association rules on rentals before you buy if you plan to rent the home when you are away.
How hot does San Diego get in summer?
Along the coast, summer highs are usually in the 70s. Inland valleys run in the 80s and 90s. Late spring can be cloudy near the ocean, and September and October are often the warmest months.
Talk to a local
Planning a move from Phoenix?
Andrew Luria and Jaime Chambers have reported on San Diego's neighborhoods for decades and now help families move here. Tell us about your plans and we will reply with honest thoughts. No sales pitch.
Also moving from: Seattle · San Francisco · Los Angeles