Living in Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff is the 493rd-largest city in the US, home to about 77,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (100.3 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 77,260+0.5% since 2020
- Median home value
- $552,9007.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,645/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $71,512median, per year
- Price level
- 100.3US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 43° / 82°lows 18° / 51°
- Average commute
- 17 min13% work from home
- State income tax
- 2.5%top rate, flat
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County: Coconino County
Time zone: Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7, no daylight saving)
Elevation: about 6,903 ft
Metro area: Flagstaff, AZ
Cost of living in Flagstaff
The median home in Flagstaff is worth $552,900 and the median household earns $71,512 a year, so a typical home costs about 7.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,645 a month, about 28% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Flagstaff, AZ metro area at 100.3, with housing at 109.0 and goods at 96.2 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $75,200 here. Arizona taxes wages at a top rate of 2.5% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Arizona is 8.54%.
What would my salary be worth in Flagstaff?
Flagstaff weather
Average highs run from 43°F in January to 82°F in July, and January nights average 18°F. It gets 20 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 90 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 202 times a year. The most comfortable months are June to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Flagstaff
People and work
The median resident is 25.9 years old, and 52% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 42% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 16 minutes; 13% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 25.97th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 52%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 42%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,17066.0 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%9% walk, 2.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 5.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 18.2%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1992median year
Who moves to Flagstaff, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Phoenix (Maricopa County), Tucson (Pima County) and Apache County, AZ. People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Phoenix (Maricopa County), Tucson (Pima County) and Mohave County, AZ. See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Coconino County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: winter weather, lightning, wildfire, inland flooding.
Home prices
+2.9% in a year
Up 47% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Flagstaff, AZ area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
70% good days
2 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Flagstaff, AZ area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Flagstaff
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Flagstaff
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff Pulliam Airport FLG | 4 mi | 79,081 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Flagstaff
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Arizona University | in town | 22,903 | $17,265 | 59% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Flagstaff
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before June 4, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around September 19 and the first frost comes around September 28.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, AZ, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Flagstaff.
Wildfire smoke in Flagstaff
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Flagstaff on about 45 days a year, including about 9 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Flagstaff
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 28,550 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Flagstaff
Downtown Flagstaff is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff Unified District | Pre-K to 12 | 8,595 | 16 | 15.7 |
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Flagstaff's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Flagstaff's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Bozeman, MT70% matchCompare
- Longmont, CO69% matchCompare
- Loveland, CO68% matchCompare
- Fort Collins, CO68% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Flagstaff
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Flagstaff
- Arizona Snowbowl 9 miles
- Elk Ridge Ski Area 31 miles
- Sunrise Park Resort 148 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Flagstaff
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 16 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Homes are expensive for local pay: the median home costs 7.7 years of median household income.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 90 inches a year.
Flagstaff report card from locals
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Flagstaff through locals' eyes
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Cities near Flagstaff
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peoria, AZ | 115 mi | 200,881 | $463,600 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Surprise, AZ | 116 mi | 175,304 | $435,100 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 117 mi | 243,006 | $789,800 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Glendale, AZ | 119 mi | 260,572 | $387,500 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Phoenix, AZ | 123 mi | 1,665,481 | $420,700 | 103.3 | Compare |
| Mesa, AZ | 124 mi | 513,656 | $408,000 | 103.3 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Flagstaff with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Flagstaff a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are expensive homes relative to local incomes, heavy snow. Compare Flagstaff side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Flagstaff?
The Census Bureau estimates Flagstaff had 77,260 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 76,841 in April 2020 (+0.5%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Flagstaff?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $75,200 in the Flagstaff area. The median household here earns $71,512.
When is the best time to visit Flagstaff?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, June to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 82°F and January 43°F for daytime highs.
What county is Flagstaff in?
Flagstaff is in Coconino County, Arizona. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Flagstaff in?
Flagstaff is on Mountain Standard Time (UTC-7 all year, with no daylight saving time).
What is the elevation of Flagstaff?
About 6,903 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city. At over a mile high, the air is thinner and the sun is stronger.
Does Arizona have a state income tax?
Yes. Arizona has a flat income tax with a top rate of 2.5% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Flagstaff. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Flagstaff, AZ metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, AZ station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.