Best overall alternatives
Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity โ not just cheapest price.
Best Match
๐ฝ Cedar Rapids
Iowa, IA
1BR rent$1,100/mo
Monthly savings$550/mo
Walk score30/100
Median income$58K/yr
1BR rent$1,050/mo
Monthly savings$600/mo
Walk score28/100
Median income$53K/yr
1BR rent$1,000/mo
Monthly savings$650/mo
Walk score28/100
Median income$52K/yr
Moving to Cedar Rapids saves you $550/mo. Put it to work while you plan.
High-yield savings accounts โ top rates today
See all savings accounts โ
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY

Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
Stay in Arizona
Cheaper cities within Arizona โ same state laws, familiar surroundings.
Eliminate Arizona's 2.5% state income tax
These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $3,000/year back in your pocket โ before factoring in the lower COL.
More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back
No-annual-fee credit cards โ earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimitedยฎ
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee

Citi
Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
More affordable metros
All other established metros cheaper than Flagstaff, sorted by cost of living.
๐ต Jackson, MSCOL 791BR $1,000/moSave $650/mo on rent23% cheaper
๐ฏ Springfield, MOCOL 791BR $950/moSave $700/mo on rent23% cheaper
โ๏ธ Montgomery, ALCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $600/mo on rent21% cheaper
๐ท Shreveport, LACOL 811BR $1,000/moSave $650/mo on rent21% cheaper
๐ป Toledo, OHCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $600/mo on rent21% cheaper
๐ Fort Wayne, INCOL 811BR $1,000/moSave $650/mo on rent21% cheaper
Cities with similar cost of living
COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS ยท Walk scores: Walk Scoreยฎ ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only