I was at a seminar a few weeks back and people from all over the western states were talking about a Cost of Living index and each place’s number.  It’s supposed to measure how expensive or cheap it is to live in a place compared to the national average.  If 100 is the average, then we’re just about average in Food, Health, Transportation, Micellaneous, below average in utilities (although you wouldn’t guess by my APS bill a few days back) and our high scores were in: Housing 233 (Aspen is 2159, Lake Tahoe is 178, NY is 203, Jackson Hole is 596) Overall 150 (Aspen is 846, Lake Tahoe is 136, NY is 165, Jackson Hole is 278) Check it out for yourself at  http://www.bestplaces.net/city/Sedona_AZ-COSTLIV-DATA-50465350091.aspx