Flagstaff vs Irving
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Flagstaff
Irving
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 16.0%, with Irving being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Flagstaff has equivalent purchasing power to $64,655 in Irving.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Flagstaff has the same purchasing power as $64,655 in Irving.
Conversely, $75,000 in Irving equals $87,000 in Flagstaff.
Living in Flagstaff vs Irving
Housing Costs
Flagstaff's housing index of 178 is higher Irving's 94, translating to median home prices of $655,000 vs $318,000. The $337,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Flagstaff compared to $1,350/mo in Irving, a monthly difference of $400.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Flagstaff and 99 in Irving. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Flagstaff vs $470/month in Irving. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Flagstaff and 111 in Irving. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Flagstaff vs $444 in Irving. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Flagstaff and 103 in Irving. 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 $68,000 in Flagstaff and $73,400 in Irving. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,621 and $73,400 respectively. Irving residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,587/month to housing in Flagstaff vs $1,713/month in Irving. In Flagstaff, median rent of $1,750/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Irving, median rent of $1,350/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 84 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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