Moving from Flagstaff to Tempe (2026)

Tempe has a COL index of 103 vs 102 for Flagstaff (100 = US average). Expect to pay about 1% more for the same lifestyle.

Pay ~$50 more/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
102 โ†’ 103
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,650 โ†’ $1,600
per month
State tax
2.5% โ†’ 2.5%
income tax
COL difference
102 โ†’ 103
1% more expensive

Salary needed in Tempe to match your Flagstaff lifestyle

Based on the 1% cost of living increase between the two cities.

Your salary in FlagstaffEquivalent in Tempe
$40K$40,392
$50K$50,490
$60K$60,588
$75K$75,735
$80K$80,784
$100K$100,980
$120K$121,176
$150K$151,471

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$32/moon core expenses at $75K

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

ExpenseFlagstaffTempe
Monthly take-home$4,584$4,584
1BR rent$1,650$1,600
Groceries$384$380
Transport$45$55
Utilities$195$210
Internet$65$62
Left after essentials$2,245$2,277

Frequently asked questions

Is Tempe cheaper than Flagstaff?

No. Tempe has a cost of living index of 103 vs 102 for Flagstaff (100 = US average). That's about 1% more expensive.

How much will I save moving from Flagstaff to Tempe?

On a $75K salary, moving from Flagstaff to Tempe saves roughly $50/month on core expenses. That's ~$600/year.

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

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Flagstaff, you'd need roughly $75,735/year in Tempe. 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