Tallahassee, FL vs Lake Havasu City, AZ: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Lake Havasu City, AZ and Tallahassee, FL are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Tallahassee works out to about $75,100 in Lake Havasu City, before taxes.
- Housing is 1.6% higher in Lake Havasu City, goods 0.0% lower and other services 1.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Typical asking rent is $1,540 a month in Lake Havasu City and $1,474 in Tallahassee, $792 a year more in Lake Havasu City (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $350,000 in Lake Havasu City and $281,000 in Tallahassee.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when Lake Havasu City was 5.1% less expensive than Tallahassee.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Overall prices are about the same in Tallahassee and Lake Havasu City
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
All items Tallahassee, FL: 93.9 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 94.1
Goods Tallahassee, FL: 96.2 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 96.2
Housing (rents) Tallahassee, FL: 78.5 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 79.8
Utilities Tallahassee, FL: 87.5 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 88.7
Other services Tallahassee, FL: 98.9 Lake Havasu City, AZ: 99.8
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.9 | 94.1 |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 |
| Housing (rents) | 78.5 | 79.8 |
| Utilities | 87.5 | 88.7 |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.8 |
| Category | Tallahassee | Lake Havasu City | Lake Havasu City vs Tallahassee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 93.9 | 94.1 | +0.2% |
| Goods | 96.2 | 96.2 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 78.5 | 79.8 | +1.6% |
| Utilities | 87.5 | 88.7 | +1.4% |
| Other services | 98.9 | 99.8 | +1.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,474 | $1,540 | +4.5% |
| Typical home value | $281,000 | $350,000 | +24.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Tallahassee | $75,000 | $75,100 | +0.2% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Tallahassee and Lake Havasu City has narrowed since 2008: 2.2 points then, 0.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 96.0 | 93.8 |
| 2009 | 94.7 | 97.3 |
| 2010 | 95.7 | 94.6 |
| 2011 | 97.1 | 94.7 |
| 2012 | 97.2 | 95.5 |
| 2013 | 96.0 | 95.0 |
| 2014 | 96.3 | 92.3 |
| 2015 | 96.1 | 92.2 |
| 2016 | 97.4 | 93.0 |
| 2017 | 97.0 | 93.8 |
| 2018 | 93.9 | 89.8 |
| 2019 | 93.1 | 88.4 |
| 2020 | 91.1 | 87.7 |
| 2021 | 94.9 | 89.3 |
| 2022 | 94.3 | 92.8 |
| 2023 | 95.6 | 90.5 |
| 2024 | 93.9 | 94.1 |
Goods
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.4 | 95.4 |
| 2009 | 95.3 | 101.3 |
| 2010 | 96.9 | 97.3 |
| 2011 | 96.7 | 98.7 |
| 2012 | 96.7 | 99.7 |
| 2013 | 96.8 | 97.9 |
| 2014 | 97.0 | 96.2 |
| 2015 | 96.4 | 95.0 |
| 2016 | 96.8 | 94.4 |
| 2017 | 96.9 | 99.7 |
| 2018 | 95.3 | 95.7 |
| 2019 | 95.3 | 99.0 |
| 2020 | 95.2 | 96.5 |
| 2021 | 95.7 | 96.6 |
| 2022 | 95.0 | 97.7 |
| 2023 | 96.3 | 96.8 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 96.2 |
Housing (rents)
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 85.4 | 82.8 |
| 2009 | 84.9 | 86.3 |
| 2010 | 84.5 | 79.8 |
| 2011 | 88.1 | 74.6 |
| 2012 | 89.7 | 76.3 |
| 2013 | 84.0 | 77.6 |
| 2014 | 83.2 | 70.1 |
| 2015 | 81.7 | 70.0 |
| 2016 | 87.0 | 75.6 |
| 2017 | 88.0 | 71.1 |
| 2018 | 77.4 | 69.5 |
| 2019 | 81.0 | 58.9 |
| 2020 | 72.1 | 64.0 |
| 2021 | 80.5 | 73.3 |
| 2022 | 77.7 | 86.3 |
| 2023 | 82.9 | 77.8 |
| 2024 | 78.5 | 79.8 |
Utilities
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.6 | 90.7 |
| 2009 | 101.3 | 92.1 |
| 2010 | 97.2 | 100.9 |
| 2011 | 96.3 | 102.2 |
| 2012 | 94.2 | 104.9 |
| 2013 | 91.9 | 101.2 |
| 2014 | 95.0 | 105.4 |
| 2015 | 92.3 | 105.0 |
| 2016 | 87.7 | 98.9 |
| 2017 | 87.2 | 94.6 |
| 2018 | 88.4 | 89.4 |
| 2019 | 89.6 | 91.1 |
| 2020 | 86.9 | 90.2 |
| 2021 | 86.4 | 82.7 |
| 2022 | 92.0 | 84.2 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 82.6 |
| 2024 | 87.5 | 88.7 |
Other services
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.9 | 98.8 |
| 2009 | 97.5 | 101.4 |
| 2010 | 99.0 | 100.2 |
| 2011 | 100.5 | 103.9 |
| 2012 | 100.4 | 103.4 |
| 2013 | 99.7 | 102.1 |
| 2014 | 100.4 | 102.5 |
| 2015 | 101.1 | 100.9 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 100.4 |
| 2017 | 100.4 | 101.2 |
| 2018 | 98.8 | 96.5 |
| 2019 | 95.9 | 97.4 |
| 2020 | 96.0 | 94.7 |
| 2021 | 99.7 | 92.0 |
| 2022 | 99.9 | 92.5 |
| 2023 | 99.8 | 93.3 |
| 2024 | 98.9 | 99.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,540 in Lake Havasu City vs $1,474 in Tallahassee
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $849 | $766 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $860 | $775 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $848 | $780 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $852 | $801 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $869 | $798 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $873 | $812 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $866 | $829 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $867 | $827 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $894 | $846 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $902 | $872 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $907 | $875 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $906 | $902 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $931 | $899 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $936 | $932 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $935 | $941 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $950 | $946 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $974 | $984 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $978 | $1,004 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $997 | $1,021 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $997 | $1,019 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $996 | $1,048 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,005 | $1,068 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,013 | $1,100 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,032 | $1,155 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,038 | $1,189 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,073 | $1,301 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,147 | $1,300 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,178 | $1,374 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,192 | $1,393 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,255 | $1,410 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,311 | $1,423 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,313 | $1,418 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,321 | $1,420 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,353 | $1,425 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,370 | $1,444 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,386 | $1,445 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,387 | $1,470 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,403 | $1,477 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,413 | $1,491 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,429 | $1,493 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,434 | $1,513 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,455 | $1,508 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,452 | $1,510 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,449 | $1,514 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,489 | $1,524 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,476 | $1,537 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,474 | $1,540 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $350,000 in Lake Havasu City vs $281,000 in Tallahassee
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Tallahassee, FL
- Lake Havasu City, AZ
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Tallahassee, FL | Lake Havasu City, AZ | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $153K | $161K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $154K | $165K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $156K | $167K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $159K | $169K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $161K | $175K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $163K | $175K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $165K | $176K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $167K | $178K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $168K | $181K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $170K | $185K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $173K | $189K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $176K | $193K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $178K | $197K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $181K | $202K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $183K | $209K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $185K | $215K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $187K | $220K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $190K | $224K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $193K | $228K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $197K | $234K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $202K | $236K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $204K | $240K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $208K | $252K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $215K | $266K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $221K | $281K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $229K | $305K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $237K | $323K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $242K | $333K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $251K | $345K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $263K | $365K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $266K | $364K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $264K | $352K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $266K | $341K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $271K | $343K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $276K | $345K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $279K | $343K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $281K | $346K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $283K | $348K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $282K | $347K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $281K | $347K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $281K | $345K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $279K | $344K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $278K | $343K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $278K | $346K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $280K | $350K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $281K | $351K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $281K | $350K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.