Housing equity

Hello all,

I am curious about real estate I am about to graduate college and
though it may be some time before I am financially able to afford a
mortgage and have stability. I know that I will buy a house. As of now
I am just gathering information so that when I am finally able I can
make a good decision. On to the question that has been bugging me.

I have grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area and know that housing
there appreciates rather quickly. I have though about moving to Nevada
(Reno/Tahoe area more specifically Sparks) but although the housing is
cheap it most likely doesn't nearly appreciate as fast as the Bay
Area. This is only one factor in my decision but I want to understand
it well.

Is there a website that would show the average equity appreciation
figures for cities in the USA, say over a 10 year period???

Is there a table or website or some sort of calculator tool that can
take state laws and apply them to equity appreciation. For Example in
California State housing taxes are fairly complex. Yet in Nevada there
are less state taxes and different housing laws. Which is more
affordable which is more likely to come out ahead etc. Though I know
to some extent this is a guessing game! I would like to be able to
make an educated decision.

I know there are a lot more factors such as job markets but for now I
would like to focus on this point and understand it. I still have a
lot to learn =)