1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Mesa, AZ
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mesa, Arizona as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,549 and +12% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Mesa
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Mesa
Compare Mesa's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tucson | $847 |
| 2 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 3 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 4 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 5 | Green Valley | $1,140 |
| 6 | Tucson | $1,143 |
| 7 | Yuma | $1,143 |
| 8 | Cottonwood | $1,190 |
| 9 | Glendale | $1,203 |
| 10 | Lake Havasu City | $1,210 |
| 11 | Sierra Vista | $1,215 |
| 12 | Mesa (this page) | $1,226 |
| 13 | Phoenix | $1,238 |
| 14 | Prescott | $1,260 |
| 15 | Tempe | $1,320 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waddell | $2,470 |
| 2 | Paradise Valley | $2,380 |
| 3 | Anthem | $2,380 |
| 4 | Queen Creek | $2,260 |
| 5 | Scottsdale | $2,163 |
| 6 | Litchfield Park | $2,140 |
| 7 | Buckeye | $2,055 |
| 8 | San Tan Valley | $2,030 |
| 9 | Surprise | $1,984 |
| 10 | Peoria | $1,953 |
| 11 | Fountain Hills | $1,950 |
| 12 | Maricopa | $1,900 |
| 13 | Tolleson | $1,850 |
| 14 | Flagstaff | $1,830 |
| 15 | Avondale | $1,810 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Mesa.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert, AZ | 7.3 mi | $1,598 | +$372 (+30%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 13.2 mi | $1,950 | +$724 (+59%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 13.4 mi | $1,440 | +$214 (+17%) |
| Chandler, AZ | 14 mi | $1,507 | +$281 (+23%) |
| Tempe, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,320 | +$94 (+8%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 16.2 mi | $2,260 | +$1,034 (+84%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 16.3 mi | $2,163 | +$937 (+76%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 18.1 mi | $2,380 | +$1,154 (+94%) |
| San Tan Valley, AZ | 20.1 mi | $2,030 | +$804 (+66%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 25.6 mi | $1,238 | +$12 (+1%) |
| Coolidge, AZ | 32.2 mi | $1,440 | +$214 (+17%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 35 mi | $1,203 | $-23 (-2%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Mesa — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Mesa, Arizona is $1,226 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,549.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $49,040 ($4,087/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.58/hour at a full-time job.
Is Mesa expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Mesa's 1-bedroom median of $1,226 is +12% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 38th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mesa rank for 1-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 49 cities in Arizona with 1-bedroom data, Mesa ranks #12 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Glendale ($1,203).