$80K in Flagstaff = $78,431 in Anchorage
Your $80K salary in Flagstaff (COL 102) has the same purchasing power as $78,431 in Anchorage (COL 100). Anchorage is cheaper — your money goes 2% further there.
Budget breakdown — $80K in both cities
What $80K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Flagstaff $80K | Anchorage $80K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $4,890 | $5,057 |
| 1BR rent | $1,650 | $1,800 |
| Groceries | $384 | $391 |
| Transport | $45 | $45 |
| Utilities | $195 | $165 |
| Internet | $65 | $90 |
| Left after essentials | $2,551/month | $2,566/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $80K in Flagstaff equivalent to in Anchorage?
$80K in Flagstaff (COL index 102) has the same purchasing power as $78,431 in Anchorage (COL index 100). That's 2% less than your current salary.
If I move from Flagstaff to Anchorage keeping my $80K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $80K after moving to Anchorage, you'd have $15 more per month after core expenses — because Anchorage is cheaper than Flagstaff.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $80K × (100 ÷ 102) = $78,431. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Flagstaff to Anchorage
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only