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City Report · AZ

Flagstaff

Pop. 76,445·5th most expensive in Arizona·Rental market data updated monthly for Flagstaff, AZ
Median rent (all units)
$2,226/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.5%
Month-over-Month
+5.2%
vs US Median
+$264
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
Flagstaff · $2,226
More expensive than 70% of US cities · National median $1,962/mo
Rent Reality Score
67/100
Good value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 8% below what Flagstaff's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$2,226/mo
Expected by trend
$2,429/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Flagstaff's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,670
1 BR
$1,830
2 BR
$2,073
3 BR
$2,540
4 BR+
$2,847
Fair Market Rent (HUD)
$2,073/mo

These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $2,226 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.

Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$26,712/yr
At $2,226/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 1.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.5% YoY, +5.2% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

Who lives here

Flagstaff, AZ is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, 52.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
76,445
Median income
$71,512
Median age
25.9
Renters
57.7%
Age distribution
17.3%
46.5%
19.4%
Under 1817.3%
18–3446.5%
35–5419.4%
55–647.5%
65+9.3%
Gender
49%
51%
Male49%
Female51%
Race & ethnicity
63.3%
19.6%
12.8%
White63.3%
Black1.8%
Hispanic19.6%
Asian2.5%
Other12.8%
Education (25+)
15.3%
28.4%
52.3%
No HS diploma4.1%
HS diploma15.3%
Some college28.4%
Bachelor's+52.3%
Housing tenure
42.3%
57.7%
Owner42.3%
Renter57.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Flagstaff, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,686 → $2,226
up 32.0%
Income
$61,026 → $71,512
up 17.2%
Population
76,228 → 76,445
up 0.3%
Renter share
54.9% → 57.7%
+2.8 pts
Bachelor's+
51.4% → 52.3%
+0.9 pts

Rent in Flagstaff, AZ has climbed 32.0% since 2021, going from about $1,686 per month to roughly $2,226 today. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $61,026 in 2021 to $71,512 more recently. Rent outpaced income growth by roughly 14.8 percentage points, which means renters are spending a larger slice of each paycheck on housing than they did in 2021. About 57.7% of households rent today, against 54.9% in 2021. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the Flagstaff, AZ market of 2021.

Community

Discussions about Flagstaff

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View Flagstaff rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Flagstaff on your salary?

At $2,226/mo, how Flagstaff rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

Flagstaff rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Flagstaff. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Flagstaff

About renting in Flagstaff, AZ

Last updated: August 17, 2026

The median rent in Flagstaff is $2,226/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,670/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,073/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,830/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,540/mo.

At 37% of local median household income ($71,512/yr), Flagstaff ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Flagstaff an affordable city for renters?

Flagstaff is considered moderate for renters. At $2,226/mo, rent takes approximately 37% of the local median household income ($71,512/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Flagstaff slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in Flagstaff?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $89,000/year (~$43/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,226/mo in Flagstaff. The local median household income is $71,512/yr, meaning the typical Flagstaff household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Flagstaff?

Rent in Flagstaff has increased 1.5% over the past year as of August 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Flagstaff neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Flagstaff are 86001 ($2,129/mo), 86004 ($2,243/mo), and 86005 ($2,379/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Flagstaff is $2,226/mo.

How does Flagstaff rent compare to other cities in Arizona?

Flagstaff is one of the pricier cities in Arizona for rent, ranking #5 out of 49 tracked cities at $2,226/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Flagstaff?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Flagstaff ($2,226/mo): Winslow ($1,050/mo), Prescott Valley ($1,779/mo), Prescott ($1,838/mo).

What percentage of Flagstaff residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 57.7% of Flagstaff households are renters, while 42.3% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, Flagstaff has a strong rental market.

How does Flagstaff rent compare to the national average?

Flagstaff's median rent of $2,226/mo is $264 (13%) above the US national median of $1,962/mo. Within Arizona, it ranks #5 out of 49 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
37%
MODERATE

At $2,226/mo, rent takes ~37% of Flagstaff's median household income ($71,512/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Flagstaff 37%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
Run the Flagstaff affordability calculator →
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near Flagstaff, AZ

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