Moving from Durham to Flagstaff (2026)

Flagstaff has a COL index of 102 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). Expect to pay about 0% more for the same lifestyle.

Pay ~$225 more/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

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Key differences

COL index
102 โ†’ 102
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,750 โ†’ $1,650
per month
State tax
4.5% โ†’ 2.5%
income tax
COL difference
102 โ†’ 102
0% more expensive

Salary needed in Flagstaff to match your Durham lifestyle

Based on the 0% cost of living increase between the two cities.

Your salary in DurhamEquivalent in Flagstaff
$40K$40,000
$50K$50,000
$60K$60,000
$75K$75,000
$80K$80,000
$100K$100,000
$120K$120,000
$150K$150,000

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$82/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Durham vs Flagstaff

ExpenseDurhamFlagstaff
Monthly take-home$4,459$4,584
1BR rent$1,750$1,650
Groceries$372$384
Transport$82$45
Utilities$155$195
Internet$62$65
Left after essentials$2,038$2,245

Frequently asked questions

Is Flagstaff cheaper than Durham?

No. Flagstaff has a cost of living index of 102 vs 102 for Durham (100 = US average). That's about 0% more expensive.

How much will I save moving from Durham to Flagstaff?

On a $75K salary, moving from Durham to Flagstaff saves roughly $225/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,700/year.

What salary do I need in Flagstaff to match my Durham lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Durham, you'd need roughly $75,000/year in Flagstaff. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only