1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +21% lower than the citywide median of $1,623 and +8% 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 | 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 | $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? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Tempe.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Tempe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ | 9.1 mi | $1,499 | +$214 (+17%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $1,635 | +$350 (+27%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $2,240 | +$955 (+74%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,240 | $-45 (-4%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,213 | $-72 (-6%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $2,163 | +$878 (+68%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $1,950 | +$665 (+52%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,193 | $-92 (-7%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $1,850 | +$565 (+44%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $2,260 | +$975 (+76%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $1,810 | +$525 (+41%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $1,440 | +$155 (+12%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Tempe?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $1,285 per month. This is +21% below the citywide median of $1,623.
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 $51,400 ($4,283/month gross), which works out to roughly $24.71/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 $1,285 is +8% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 42th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for 1-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 51 cities in Arizona with 1-bedroom data, Tempe ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Phoenix ($1,240), Mesa ($1,213), Glendale ($1,193).