Arlington vs Flagstaff
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Flagstaff
The Verdict
Living in Arlington costs 17.2% less than Flagstaff. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Arlington, you would need $90,625 in Flagstaff.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Arlington has the same purchasing power as $90,625 in Flagstaff.
Conversely, $75,000 in Flagstaff equals $62,069 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Flagstaff
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 is lower Flagstaff's 178, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $655,000. The $395,000 difference in home prices means roughly $25,680 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,750/mo in Flagstaff, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 102 in Flagstaff. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington vs $485/month in Flagstaff. Arlington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 99 in Arlington and 92 in Flagstaff. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $368 in Flagstaff. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington and 102 in Flagstaff. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,138 in Arlington and $68,000 in Flagstaff. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $58,621 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,587/month in Flagstaff. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/mo fits within this budget. In Flagstaff, median rent of $1,750/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 92 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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