Fort Defiance, AZ vs Sedona, AZ

The cost of living difference between Fort Defiance, AZ and Sedona, AZ is dramatic. Fort Defiance is 54.7% cheaper than Sedona, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Defiance has a cost index of 61 while Sedona sits at 135, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Defiance is $802/month compared to $1,421/month in Sedona — a 44% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Fort Defiance is more affordable at $37,800 median vs $708,400.

Median household income in Fort Defiance is $56,250 compared to $67,374 in Sedona (-16.5%). Sedona does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Defiance spend roughly 17.1% of their income on rent, less than the 25.3% in Sedona.