Flagstaff, AZ vs San Tan Valley, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ and San Tan Valley, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.9% difference in their overall index. Flagstaff scores 121 while San Tan Valley scores 123 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Flagstaff is $1,555/month compared to $1,857/month in San Tan Valley — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Flagstaff has cheaper rent, San Tan Valley actually has lower median home values ($365,900 vs $503,400).

Median household income in Flagstaff is $68,041 compared to $93,642 in San Tan Valley (-27.3%). While San Tan Valley is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Flagstaff spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 23.8% in San Tan Valley.