Rents are 17% below what El Mirage's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,921 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
El Mirage, AZ is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How El Mirage, AZ has changed in 5 years
The median rent in El Mirage, AZ stood at $1,520 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,921, reflecting a 26.4% increase over the period. Household income in the area moved from $65,072 to $78,050 across the same window, up 19.9% versus 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has grown by 1.9% since 2021, moving from about 35,410 residents to roughly 36,088. Renters now make up 30.3% of households, compared with 33.3% five years ago. Reading these numbers side by side helps frame whether current listings in El Mirage, AZ look reasonable against where the market sat half a decade ago.
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Can you afford rent in El Mirage on your salary?
At $1,921/mo, how El Mirage rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
El Mirage rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in El Mirage. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in El Mirage
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in El Mirage is $1,921/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,480/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,880/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,620/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $2,530/mo.
At 30% of local median household income ($78,050/yr), El Mirage ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 3.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
Is El Mirage an affordable city for renters?
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Is rent going up or down in El Mirage?
How does El Mirage rent compare to other cities in Arizona?
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What percentage of El Mirage residents rent vs. own?
How does El Mirage rent compare to the national average?
At $1,921/mo, rent takes ~30% of El Mirage's median household income ($78,050/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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