Flagstaff wins overall by ~1% (COL index)
Cost of living: Flagstaff vs Tempe (2026)
A $63,000 salary in Flagstaff buys roughly what $63,618 does in Tempe (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$554/yr
Favoring Tempe for this income & household (illustrative).
With an extra $46/mo in Tempe, you could max a Roth IRA contribution faster and still grow your savings buffer.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Flagstaff Arizona | Tempe Arizona | Who wins | Your impact at $63K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,300 | $1,250Better | Tempe wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Tempe |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,650 | $1,600Better | Tempe wins −$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Tempe |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200 | $2,100Better | Tempe wins −$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Tempe |
| Median home price | $500K | $430KWins | Tempe wins −$70K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 | 100Better | Tempe wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $14 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $58 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $45Wins | $55 | Flagstaff wins +$10/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30 | $3.20Better | Tempe wins −$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $155Better | $158 | Flagstaff wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $195Better | $210 | Flagstaff wins +$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $62Better | Tempe wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $58K | $68KWins | Tempe wins +$10K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 2.5%Better | 2.5% | — | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.5%Better | 8.6% | Flagstaff wins +0.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $15.00 | — | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $40 | — | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $6.50 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 102Better | 103 | Flagstaff wins +1 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 30 | 46Wins | Tempe wins +16 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Flagstaff fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Flagstaff.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Flagstaff cheaper than Tempe?
Yes. Flagstaff is 1% cheaper than Tempe based on overall cost of living indices (102 vs 103, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Flagstaff vs Tempe?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Flagstaff is $1,650/month and in Tempe is $1,600/month. Flagstaff is more expensive by 3%.
How much do I need to earn in Tempe to match a $75,000 salary in Flagstaff?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,735/year in Tempe to match a $75,000 salary in Flagstaff. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Flagstaff or Tempe?
Tempe has the lower state income tax rate at 2.5% vs 2.5%. The difference is 0.0 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Flagstaff to Tempe?
It depends on your priorities. Flagstaff offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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