Studio Apartment Rent in Mesa, AZ
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Mesa, Arizona as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,549 and +13% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Mesa
Compare Mesa's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tucson | $713 |
| 2 | Sierra Vista | $955 |
| 3 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 4 | Cottonwood | $1,010 |
| 5 | Green Valley | $1,020 |
| 6 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 7 | Tucson | $1,022 |
| 8 | Prescott | $1,073 |
| 9 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 10 | Glendale | $1,098 |
| 11 | Mesa (this page) | $1,117 |
| 12 | Phoenix | $1,130 |
| 13 | Yuma | $1,137 |
| 14 | Prescott Valley | $1,160 |
| 15 | Tempe | $1,203 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waddell | $2,250 |
| 2 | Paradise Valley | $2,170 |
| 3 | Anthem | $2,170 |
| 4 | Queen Creek | $2,060 |
| 5 | Scottsdale | $1,972 |
| 6 | Litchfield Park | $1,950 |
| 7 | Buckeye | $1,870 |
| 8 | San Tan Valley | $1,850 |
| 9 | Surprise | $1,808 |
| 10 | Peoria | $1,780 |
| 11 | Fountain Hills | $1,780 |
| 12 | Maricopa | $1,730 |
| 13 | Tolleson | $1,690 |
| 14 | Flagstaff | $1,670 |
| 15 | Avondale | $1,650 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 1 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Mesa.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Mesa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilbert, AZ | 7.3 mi | $1,457 | +$340 (+30%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 13.2 mi | $1,780 | +$663 (+59%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 13.4 mi | $1,320 | +$203 (+18%) |
| Chandler, AZ | 14 mi | $1,375 | +$258 (+23%) |
| Tempe, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,203 | +$86 (+8%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 16.2 mi | $2,060 | +$943 (+84%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 16.3 mi | $1,972 | +$855 (+77%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 18.1 mi | $2,170 | +$1,053 (+94%) |
| San Tan Valley, AZ | 20.1 mi | $1,850 | +$733 (+66%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 25.6 mi | $1,130 | +$13 (+1%) |
| Coolidge, AZ | 32.2 mi | $1,320 | +$203 (+18%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 35 mi | $1,098 | $-19 (-2%) |
Studio rent in Mesa — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Mesa?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Mesa, Arizona is $1,117 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,549.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Mesa?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $44,680 ($3,723/month gross), which works out to roughly $21.48/hour at a full-time job.
Is Mesa expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Mesa's studio median of $1,117 is +13% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 36th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Mesa rank for studio rent in Arizona?
Among the 49 cities in Arizona with studio data, Mesa ranks #11 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Mesa?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Glendale ($1,098).