Moving guide Β· Ontario β†’ Arizona

Moving from Toronto to Phoenix

Mild winters, desert hikes and a booming job market. Here's how life in Phoenix compares with Toronto, and what changes when you cross the border.

Phoenix is roughly 18Β°C warmer than Toronto in January (about -5Β°C β†’ 13Β°C), with little or no snow instead of about 120 cm a year and around 99 more sunny days. A typical home costs roughly 41% less in Phoenix (about C$1,050,000 vs US$450,000, compared at a sample exchange rate), and everyday costs in Phoenix are close to the US average. Income tax goes from a medium provincial income tax in Ontario to a low state income tax in Arizona. For lifestyle, you gain warm winters, desert and golf and leave behind nightlife, food scene and live music. (Approximate figures.)

Weather
January average
-5Β°C β†’ 13Β°C (+18Β°)
July average
22Β°C β†’ 35Β°C (+13Β°)
Sunny days a year
200 β†’ 299
Snow a year
120 β†’ 0 cm
Money (approximate)
Cost of living index
125 β†’ 105
Typical home
C$1,050,000 β†’ US$450,000
Property tax rate
0.7% β†’ 0.55%
Provincial or state income tax
Medium β†’ Low
Health care in Phoenix
Private, ~US$520/mo (approx.)
Getting around in Phoenix
Airport
20 min
Ski hill
2h 30m
Beach or lake
45 min
Main industries
Healthcare, semiconductors, finance
Lifestyle and risks
You gain
Warm wintersDesertGolf
You leave behind
NightlifeFood sceneLive music
Wildfire: Low Flood: Low Heat: High
Crossing the border

Moving from Canada to the USA

Staying vs. moving
As a visitor you can usually spend up to about 6 months a year in the US. Living or working there full time needs a visa or green card (TN, E-2, L-1, H-1B and others).
Mortgages
US lenders often want a larger down payment from Canadians and may need an ITIN or US credit. Some Canadian banks have US arms that use your Canadian credit history.
Taxes
Plan for both countries: US property tax, state income tax, and Canadian departure-tax rules if you become a non-resident. Selling later can trigger US withholding (FIRPTA).
Health care
Provincial coverage usually ends after a long absence. Budget for US health insurance from day one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm your situation with a licensed immigration lawyer and cross-border tax adviser.
Homes in PhoenixFull comparisonSalary calculatorMove plannerAgents in Phoenix

Climate, cost and risk figures are approximate and for comparison only. Prices are in each place's local currency.

Moving from Toronto to Phoenix Β· Pinned