3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +24% higher than the citywide median of $1,623 and +6% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tucson | $1,327 |
| 2 | Winslow | $1,399 |
| 3 | Arizona City | $1,635 |
| 4 | Bullhead City | $1,815 |
| 5 | Kingman | $1,825 |
| 6 | Glendale | $1,871 |
| 7 | Sierra Vista | $1,885 |
| 8 | Show Low | $1,890 |
| 9 | Mesa | $1,896 |
| 10 | Gold Canyon | $1,901 |
| 11 | Fort Mohave | $1,940 |
| 12 | Phoenix | $1,945 |
| 13 | Tempe (this page) | $2,009 |
| 14 | Cottonwood | $2,040 |
| 15 | Yuma | $2,050 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | $3,730 |
| 2 | Queen Creek | $3,540 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $3,503 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $3,380 |
| 5 | Litchfield Park | $3,350 |
| 6 | Buckeye | $3,205 |
| 7 | San Tan Valley | $3,170 |
| 8 | Surprise | $3,100 |
| 9 | Peoria | $3,055 |
| 10 | Fountain Hills | $3,050 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $2,965 |
| 12 | Vail | $2,890 |
| 13 | Tolleson | $2,890 |
| 14 | Oro Valley | $2,890 |
| 15 | Avondale | $2,830 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Tempe.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Tempe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ | 9.1 mi | $2,341 | +$332 (+17%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $2,562 | +$553 (+28%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $3,503 | +$1,494 (+74%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,945 | $-64 (-3%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,896 | $-113 (-6%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $3,380 | +$1,371 (+68%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $3,050 | +$1,041 (+52%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,871 | $-138 (-7%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $2,890 | +$881 (+44%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $3,540 | +$1,531 (+76%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $2,830 | +$821 (+41%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $2,290 | +$281 (+14%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Tempe?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $2,009 per month. This is +24% higher than the citywide median of $1,623.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Tempe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $80,360 ($6,697/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.63/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tempe expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Tempe's 3-bedroom median of $2,009 is +6% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 44th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for 3-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 52 cities in Arizona with 3-bedroom data, Tempe ranks #13 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include Phoenix ($1,945), Mesa ($1,896), Glendale ($1,871).