salaryRent is higher than in 71% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.2 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Commutes are short, about 16.5 minutes. Most households rent (58%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $81,320 a year. That is $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Arizona cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Arizona. It is number 67 of 93 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Flagstaff?
Share of households by yearly income. 25.5% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Flagstaff
| Size | Flagstaff | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,412 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,606 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,807 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,204 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,443 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Flagstaff overall?
Everyday prices in the Flagstaff metro area are same as the U.S. average (index 100.3, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Flagstaff
Life in Flagstaff
What jobs pay in Flagstaff
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $163,260 | 14.9% |
| Lawyer | $154,330 | 15.8% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,600 | 18.0% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,870 | 18.9% |
| Software Developer | $113,580 | 21.5% |
| Dental Hygienist | $101,220 | 24.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,970 | 24.2% |
| Registered Nurse | $100,780 | 24.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $89,130 | 27.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $79,540 | 30.7% |
| Police Officer | $78,670 | 31.0% |
| Accountant | $77,980 | 31.3% |
| Operations Manager | $77,740 | 31.4% |
| Electrician | $61,330 | 39.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $60,530 | 40.3% |
| Plumber | $58,520 | 41.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $58,360 | 41.8% |
| Carpenter | $55,970 | 43.6% |
| Truck Driver | $55,750 | 43.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $53,900 | 45.3% |
| Firefighter | $50,380 | 48.4% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,490 | 53.6% |
| Nursing Assistant | $44,580 | 54.7% |
| Warehouse Worker | $41,560 | 58.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,120 | 60.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,760 | 62.9% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $37,080 | 65.8% |
| Retail Salesperson | $36,440 | 66.9% |
| Cashier | $35,810 | 68.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Flagstaff?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,803 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $552,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $55,290 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Flagstaff, AZ?
Renting in Flagstaff costs a median of about $2,033 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Arizona median is $1,671.
How much do I need to make to live in Flagstaff?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $81,320 a year, or $39 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Flagstaff cheap or expensive?
Flagstaff is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.6% of the typical household income of $77,126. It ranks 67th cheapest of 93 Arizona cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Flagstaff?
The median homeowner in Flagstaff pays $2,181 a year in property taxes, about 0.39% of the median home value.
Is Flagstaff more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are same as the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Flagstaff?
The median home value in Flagstaff is $552,900, about 7.2 times the typical yearly household income.
76,445 people live in Flagstaff. Numbers are typical (middle) values.