Rental prices in Flagstaff have increased more than 12% since early 2022. A new report highlights the challenges facing those seeking housing in the city’s notoriously expensive market.
According to a survey of Flagstaff apartment complexes by the nonprofit Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona, a two-bedroom unit costs $1,971 a month on average. In order to afford that without being what’s known as “cost burdened,” a household would have to earn at least $78,840 a year.
"Housing affordability and availability is the biggest struggle our community faces," says Housing Solutions CEO Devonna McLaughlin. "It makes it hard for families to not spend more than 30% of their income on housing, which then puts them in a more precarious position for other expenses that we know families have."
McLaughlin says Flagstaff is in the midst of a housing crisis.
According to the data, a Flagstaff resident earning minimum wage would have to work 2.6 full-time jobs to afford a two-bedroom apartment.
McLaughlin says more affordable housing in Flagstaff is needed in addition to the almost 2,000 units currently reserved for low-and-moderate income households.
She hopes the new survey will help inform policymakers as they discuss solutions to the crisis.
It follows a separate study released last month showing Flagstaff is the eighth most expensive small city in the U-S for rent.
