Lake Montezuma, AZ vs Show Low, AZ

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Show Low is 15.9% cheaper than Lake Montezuma. With a cost index of 88 vs 102, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Show Low to Lake Montezuma should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Lake Montezuma is $1,475/month compared to $1,055/month in Show Low — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Show Low is more affordable at $275,000 median vs $291,900.

Median household income in Lake Montezuma is $54,081 compared to $63,376 in Show Low (-14.7%). Show Low offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lake Montezuma spend roughly 32.7% of their income on rent, more than the 20% in Show Low. The Show Low ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.