Moving from Raleigh to Flagstaff (2026)

Flagstaff has a COL index of 102 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). Expect to pay about 1% more for the same lifestyle.

Pay ~$175 more/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

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Key differences

COL index
101 โ†’ 102
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,700 โ†’ $1,650
per month
State tax
4.5% โ†’ 2.5%
income tax
COL difference
101 โ†’ 102
1% more expensive

Salary needed in Flagstaff to match your Raleigh lifestyle

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

Your salary in RaleighEquivalent in Flagstaff
$40K$40,396
$50K$50,495
$60K$60,594
$75K$75,743
$80K$80,792
$100K$100,990
$120K$121,188
$150K$151,485

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$6/moon core expenses at $75K

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

ExpenseRaleighFlagstaff
Monthly take-home$4,459$4,584
1BR rent$1,700$1,650
Groceries$365$384
Transport$70$45
Utilities$150$195
Internet$60$65
Left after essentials$2,114$2,245

Frequently asked questions

Is Flagstaff cheaper than Raleigh?

No. Flagstaff has a cost of living index of 102 vs 101 for Raleigh (100 = US average). That's about 1% more expensive.

How much will I save moving from Raleigh to Flagstaff?

On a $75K salary, moving from Raleigh to Flagstaff saves roughly $175/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,100/year.

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

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Raleigh, you'd need roughly $75,743/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