Region guide
Moving to the Southwest
The Southwest is sun, space, and value — Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada — with big dry-heat summers that are getting hotter, low humidity, and no income tax in Nevada. Water and wildfire risk are the long-run questions; the near-term draw is affordable, fast-growing metros.
No state income tax: Nevada — gross salaries stretch further there.
Cities covered
11
States
3
Median rent
$1,650/mo
Median est. cost
$4,029/mo
Standouts in the Southwest
Cheapest
Albuquerque, NM
$3,459/mo
Lowest estimated monthly essentials for one person.
Best overall
Gilbert, AZ
Fit 76
Highest default Fit Score across the region.
Safest
Gilbert, AZ
Safety 99
Lowest violent and property crime per capita.
Best for jobs
Gilbert, AZ
Jobs 87
Strongest labor market (BLS unemployment + growth).
Sunniest
Phoenix, AZ
299 sunny days
Most sunny days per year.