How high is Flagstaff?

Flagstaff sits at 6,903 ft (2,104 m) above sea level, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data. That sits above Arizona’s average of 4,216 ft (1,285 m) — a relatively high spot, with only about 8% of the state higher.

Interactive 3D elevation map of the Flagstaff, Arizona area, from the Copernicus GLO-30 model

A live 3D slice of the terrain around Flagstaff, from our satellite elevation model. Flagstaff is marked at 6,903 ft (2,104 m); the highest ground in view reaches 12,579 ft (3,834 m). Drag to spin it (tap to start on mobile).

Flagstaff in Arizona

Here’s the useful context: Flagstaff, at 6,903 ft (2,104 m), sits roughly 2,687 ft (819 m) above Arizona’s average elevation of 4,216 ft (1,285 m). It is one of the higher places in its state — our model puts only about 8% of Arizona’s land higher.

79 ft — Arizona low▲ Flagstaff 6,903 ft · avg 4,216 ft ┈12,612 ft — Arizona high

The terrain around Flagstaff

Across this view the land rises toward the west. The eastern third of the frame averages about 5,771 ft (1,759 m); the western third about 6,355 ft (1,937 m) — a climb of roughly 584 ft (178 m), topping out near 12,579 ft (3,834 m) at the edge of the frame. That is the mountain front Flagstaff sits against.

You can read the whole story in the map above — the flatter ground where the city sits, and the way the land gathers into peaks nearby. It’s the difference between where you stand and what you can see from it.

What Flagstaff’s altitude means

At 6,903 ft (2,104 m), Flagstaff is high enough that most visitors feel it, even though it’s still below the ~8,000 ft (2,400 m) line where altitude sickness typically begins. The first day or two can bring shortness of breath, a faster heart rate, trouble sleeping, and quicker dehydration.

The fix is patience: arrive, hydrate hard, go easy on alcohol and hard exertion, and let your body adjust over a day or two. Most people feel normal by the second or third day. If you’re heading higher into the mountains from here, the effects only grow.

How Flagstaff compares

Among Arizona’s larger cities, Flagstaff is the highest by elevation. For a familiar yardstick, that puts it well above Denver’s mile-high 5,280 ft (1,609 m).

Flagstaff — 6,903 ft (2,104 m)
Prescott Valley — 5,013 ft (1,528 m)
Sierra Vista — 4,639 ft (1,414 m)
Agua Prieta — 4,012 ft (1,223 m)
Tucson — 2,484 ft (757 m)
San Tan Valley — 1,519 ft (463 m)
Phoenix — 1,096 ft (334 m)

Flagstaff elevation FAQ

How high is Flagstaff?: Flagstaff’s elevation is about 6,903 ft (2,104 m) above sea level at the city center, measured from Copernicus GLO-30 satellite data.
Is Flagstaff high or low for Arizona?: High. At 6,903 ft (2,104 m) it sits above Arizona’s average of 4,216 ft (1,285 m), with only about 8% of the state higher.
Does Flagstaff’s altitude affect visitors?: Often, yes. At 6,903 ft (2,104 m) most visitors feel the thinner air for a day or two — shortness of breath, poor sleep, dehydration — before adjusting.

Explore more

↑ Arizona’s full elevation map — the whole state in interactive 3D, with its high and low points and average elevation.
· Blog: Average Elevation by State — where Arizona’s 4,216 ft (1,285 m) mean ranks.
· Blog: Elevation vs Altitude — what a city’s elevation figure actually measures.

Flagstaff’s elevation is a native ~30 m windowed-median sample from Copernicus GLO-30 (ESA); the Arizona figures are computed across the state from the same model. The 3D view is a fine windowed sample at roughly 204 m resolution, sharp enough to resolve the surrounding ridgelines. Data as of 2026-08-17.