Flagstaff, AZ vs Tempe, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ and Tempe, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 0.1% difference in their overall index. Flagstaff scores 121 while Tempe scores 120 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 $1,623/month in Tempe — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Flagstaff has cheaper rent, Tempe actually has lower median home values ($421,900 vs $503,400).

Median household income in Flagstaff is $68,041 compared to $77,643 in Tempe (-12.4%). Tempe offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Flagstaff spend roughly 27.4% of their income on rent, more than the 25.1% in Tempe.