City Report · AZ

El Mirage

Pop. 36,088·19th most expensive in Arizona·Rental market data updated monthly for El Mirage, AZ
Median rent (all units)
$1,931/mo
Year-over-Year
+4.5%
Month-over-Month
+1.9%
vs US Median
-$34
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
El Mirage · $1,931
More expensive than 55% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo
Rent Reality Score
83/100
Great value
OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 17% below what El Mirage's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent
$1,931/mo
Expected by trend
$2,312/mo
The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where El Mirage's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →
Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,480
1 BR
$1,620
2 BR
$1,880
3 BR
$2,530
4 BR+
$2,830
Research median
$1,880/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$23,172/yr
At $1,931/mo median
Rent Market Meter
Strong Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are up 4.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.
Based on rent-price momentum (+4.5% YoY, +1.9% MoM), not inventory.
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Demographics

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.

Population
36,088
Median income
$78,050
Median age
32.7
Renters
30.3%
Age distribution
27.7%
25.6%
26.4%
Under 1827.7%
18–3425.6%
35–5426.4%
55–6410.3%
65+10.1%
Gender
48.6%
51.4%
Male48.6%
Female51.4%
Race & ethnicity
38.2%
49.3%
White38.2%
Black7.9%
Hispanic49.3%
Asian1.2%
Other3.3%
Education (25+)
18.8%
30.8%
34.7%
15.8%
No HS diploma18.8%
HS diploma30.8%
Some college34.7%
Bachelor's+15.8%
Housing tenure
69.7%
30.3%
Owner69.7%
Renter30.3%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How El Mirage, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,520 → $1,931
up 27.0%
Income
$65,072 → $78,050
up 19.9%
Population
35,410 → 36,088
up 1.9%
Renter share
33.3% → 30.3%
-3.0 pts
Bachelor's+
14.8% → 15.8%
+1.0 pts

The median rent in El Mirage, AZ stood at $1,520 in 2021 and currently runs about $1,931, reflecting a 27.0% 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.

Community

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View El Mirage rent history (2015–2026) →
Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in El Mirage on your salary?

At $1,931/mo, how El Mirage rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

By apartment size

El Mirage rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in El Mirage. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in El Mirage

About renting in El Mirage, AZ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in El Mirage is $1,931/mo as of July 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 4.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is El Mirage an affordable city for renters?

El Mirage is considered moderate for renters. At $1,931/mo, rent takes approximately 30% of the local median household income ($78,050/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. El Mirage slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

How much income do you need to rent in El Mirage?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,931/mo in El Mirage. The local median household income is $78,050/yr, meaning the typical El Mirage household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in El Mirage?

Rent in El Mirage has increased 4.5% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

How does El Mirage rent compare to other cities in Arizona?

El Mirage is middle-of-the-pack for Arizona for rent, ranking #19 out of 51 tracked cities at $1,931/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than El Mirage?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than El Mirage ($1,931/mo): Youngtown ($1,417/mo), Sun City ($1,737/mo), Peoria ($1,876/mo).

What percentage of El Mirage residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 30.3% of El Mirage households are renters, while 69.7% are owner-occupied. El Mirage leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does El Mirage rent compare to the national average?

El Mirage's median rent of $1,931/mo is $34 (2%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within Arizona, it ranks #19 out of 51 tracked cities.
Income Affordability
30%
MODERATE

At $1,931/mo, rent takes ~30% of El Mirage's median household income ($78,050/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

El Mirage 30%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
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Neighborhoods

Estimated from ZIP-level data

Schools nearby

Public schools near El Mirage, AZ

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