Moving to Arizona

Arizona, otherwise known as ‘The Grand Canyon State’, is a amazing state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to AZ, we have organized a detailed list of some important facts and useful information to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the Mountain Region of the country, Arizona is bordered by California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. With a total land area of over 113,998.30 Square Miles, it comes in as the 6th largest state.

Population

Currently, the population of AZ is 6,931,071 making it the 14th most populated state in the union and the 13th least densely populated. The state capital, Phoenix, has a population of 1418041. which is the 1st largest capital in the country.

Notable Arizonans

Arizona is home to numerous famous and some infamous citizens such as, Rex Allen a memorable singer actor is from Willcox and Apache Kid a notable Indian outlaw is from Arizona Territory. Others include people like Lynda Carter a actress and Cesar Estrada Chavez a labor leader .

Climate

Arizona is the sixth largest state and its large geographic area encompasses diverse climates and a wide range in topography. The deserts in the southern portion of the state are some of the hottest and driest areas of the United States, while the higher terrain of the Colorado Plateau in the northeastern part of the state has a cooler climate, with cold winters and mild summers. In the mountain ranges, which run from the northwest to the southeast, the state experiences heavier precipitation and wide temperature variations. Average annual temperatures in the mountains are around 40°F at the highest elevations, while the southern portion of the state frequently experiences summer temperatures between 105°F and 115°F. Phoenix has the hottest climate of all major U.S. cities. The record high temperature for the state is 128°F recorded at Lake Havasu City on June 29, 1994, while the record low temperature was -40°F at Hawley Lake on January 7, 1971. The year 2014 was the hottest on record, with a statewide average annual temperature of 62.3°F, about 3°F above the long-term average.

National Parks

Arizona is home to 3 beautiful national parks.

• Grand CanyonThe Grand Canyon, carved by the mighty Colorado River, is 277 miles (446km) long, up to 1 mile (1.6km) deep, and up to 15 miles (24km) wide. Millions of years of erosion have exposed the multicolored layers of the Colorado Plateau in mesas and canyon walls, visible from both the north and south rims, or from a number of trails that descend into the canyon itself.
• Petrified ForestThis portion of the Chinle Formation has a large concentration of 225-million-year-old petrified wood. The surrounding Painted Desert features eroded cliffs of red-hued volcanic rock called bentonite. Dinosaur fossils and over 350 Native American sites are also protected in this park.
• SaguaroSplit into the separate Rincon Mountain and Tucson Mountain districts, this park is evidence that the dry Sonoran Desert is still home to a great variety of life spanning six biotic communities. Beyond the namesake giant saguaro cacti, there are barrel cacti, chollas, and prickly pears, as well as lesser long-nosed bats, spotted owls, and javelinas.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important factor when moving to a new state. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the security of its citizens, it intensely affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Arizona’s violent crime rate is 40 per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 319per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.

Arizona ranks #17 in the US for violent crime and #9 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Arizona’s educational system.

Overall Grade: D+

Arizona spends on average $8125.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). AZ ranks #43 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While AZ ranks #43 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 77.40%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Arizona ranks #45 with over 37.10% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Arizona is 4.54% which ranks 14th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. AZ’s rate is $26.71 which ranks 18th in the US.

Currently, AZ sales tax is $35.89 for which it comes in as 44th compared to other states.

Sports

Arizona fans are not only passionate but also very dedicated to their local major league teams. Arizona is home to the following teams: the Arizona Cardinals, the Arizona Coyotes, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Phoenix Suns .

Utility Companies

Before you move to Arizona, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in AZ.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Arizona, visit their website at http://www.az.gov/webapp/portal/