2-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +8% lower than the citywide median of $1,623 and +10% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657.
Income needed for a 2-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 2-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 2-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tucson | $1,063 |
| 2 | Winslow | $1,158 |
| 3 | Arizona City | $1,206 |
| 4 | Bullhead City | $1,305 |
| 5 | Kingman | $1,315 |
| 6 | Sierra Vista | $1,345 |
| 7 | Glendale | $1,388 |
| 8 | Fort Mohave | $1,400 |
| 9 | Mesa | $1,409 |
| 10 | Gold Canyon | $1,417 |
| 11 | Phoenix | $1,443 |
| 12 | Cottonwood | $1,480 |
| 13 | Green Valley | $1,490 |
| 14 | Tempe (this page) | $1,492 |
| 15 | Tucson | $1,492 |
Most expensive cities for a 2-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 2-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | $2,770 |
| 2 | Queen Creek | $2,630 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $2,603 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $2,512 |
| 5 | Litchfield Park | $2,490 |
| 6 | Buckeye | $2,385 |
| 7 | San Tan Valley | $2,355 |
| 8 | Surprise | $2,304 |
| 9 | Peoria | $2,270 |
| 10 | Fountain Hills | $2,270 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $2,205 |
| 12 | Tolleson | $2,150 |
| 13 | Avondale | $2,105 |
| 14 | Flagstaff | $2,073 |
| 15 | Vail | $2,060 |
Nearby cities — 2-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 2-bedroom rents than Tempe.
| City | Distance | 2-Bedroom rent | vs Tempe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ | 9.1 mi | $1,740 | +$248 (+17%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $1,903 | +$411 (+28%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $2,603 | +$1,111 (+74%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,443 | $-49 (-3%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,409 | $-83 (-6%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $2,512 | +$1,020 (+68%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $2,270 | +$778 (+52%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,388 | $-104 (-7%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $2,150 | +$658 (+44%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $2,630 | +$1,138 (+76%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $2,105 | +$613 (+41%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $1,690 | +$198 (+13%) |
2-Bedroom rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a 2-bedroom apartment in Tempe?
As of October 2026, the median 2-bedroom apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $1,492 per month. This is +8% below the citywide median of $1,623.
What income do you need to afford a 2-bedroom in Tempe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,680 ($4,973/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.69/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tempe expensive for a 2-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Tempe's 2-bedroom median of $1,492 is +10% below the national 2-bedroom median of $1,657. It ranks in the 39th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for 2-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 52 cities in Arizona with 2-bedroom data, Tempe ranks #14 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 2-bedroom options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 2-bedroom rents include Phoenix ($1,443), Mesa ($1,409), Glendale ($1,388).