1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of July 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,667 and +5% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Tempe
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 Tempe
Compare Tempe'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 | $1,226 |
| 13 | Phoenix | $1,238 |
| 14 | Prescott | $1,260 |
| 15 | Tempe (this page) | $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? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Tempe.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Tempe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ | 9.1 mi | $1,507 | +$187 (+14%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $2,380 | +$1,060 (+80%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $1,598 | +$278 (+21%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,238 | $-82 (-6%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,226 | $-94 (-7%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $2,163 | +$843 (+64%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $1,950 | +$630 (+48%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,203 | $-117 (-9%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $1,850 | +$530 (+40%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $2,260 | +$940 (+71%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $1,810 | +$490 (+37%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $1,440 | +$120 (+9%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Tempe?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $1,320 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,667.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Tempe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $52,800 ($4,400/month gross), which works out to roughly $25.38/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tempe expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Tempe's 1-bedroom median of $1,320 is +5% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 45th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for 1-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 49 cities in Arizona with 1-bedroom data, Tempe ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Phoenix ($1,238), Mesa ($1,226), Glendale ($1,203).