Flagstaff vs Lexington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Flagstaff
Lexington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 24.7%, with Lexington being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Flagstaff has equivalent purchasing power to $60,129 in Lexington.
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 $60,129 in Lexington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Lexington equals $93,548 in Flagstaff.
Living in Flagstaff vs Lexington
Housing Costs
Flagstaff's housing index of 178 is higher Lexington's 82, translating to median home prices of $655,000 vs $245,000. The $410,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,652 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Flagstaff compared to $1,200/mo in Lexington, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Flagstaff and 96 in Lexington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Flagstaff vs $456/month in Lexington. Lexington offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $348/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Flagstaff and 91 in Lexington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Flagstaff vs $364 in Lexington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Flagstaff and 94 in Lexington. 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 $55,648 in Lexington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $58,621 and $59,837 respectively. Lexington 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 $1,298/month in Lexington. In Flagstaff, median rent of $1,750/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 96 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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