1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Mesa, AZ
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mesa, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,532 and +13% 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 | Winslow | $958 |
| 3 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 4 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 5 | Arizona City | $1,028 |
| 6 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 7 | Green Valley | $1,140 |
| 8 | Tucson | $1,143 |
| 9 | Yuma | $1,143 |
| 10 | Show Low | $1,170 |
| 11 | Cottonwood | $1,190 |
| 12 | Glendale | $1,193 |
| 13 | Lake Havasu City | $1,210 |
| 14 | Mesa (this page) | $1,213 |
| 15 | Sierra Vista | $1,215 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | $2,380 |
| 2 | Queen Creek | $2,260 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $2,240 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $2,163 |
| 5 | Litchfield Park | $2,140 |
| 6 | Buckeye | $2,055 |
| 7 | San Tan Valley | $2,030 |
| 8 | Surprise | $1,984 |
| 9 | Peoria | $1,953 |
| 10 | Fountain Hills | $1,950 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $1,900 |
| 12 | Tolleson | $1,850 |
| 13 | Flagstaff | $1,830 |
| 14 | Avondale | $1,810 |
| 15 | Waddell | $1,760 |
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 | $2,240 | +$1,027 (+85%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 13.2 mi | $1,950 | +$737 (+61%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 13.4 mi | $1,440 | +$227 (+19%) |
| Chandler, AZ | 14 mi | $1,499 | +$286 (+24%) |
| Tempe, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,285 | +$72 (+6%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 16.2 mi | $2,260 | +$1,047 (+86%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 16.3 mi | $2,163 | +$950 (+78%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 18.1 mi | $1,635 | +$422 (+35%) |
| San Tan Valley, AZ | 20.1 mi | $2,030 | +$817 (+67%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 25.6 mi | $1,240 | +$27 (+2%) |
| Coolidge, AZ | 32.2 mi | $1,440 | +$227 (+19%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 35 mi | $1,193 | $-20 (-2%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Mesa — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Mesa?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Mesa, Arizona is $1,213 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,532.
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 $48,520 ($4,043/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.33/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 $1,213 is +13% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 37th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mesa rank for 1-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 51 cities in Arizona with 1-bedroom data, Mesa ranks #14 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Glendale ($1,193).