Studio Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of August 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,656 and +7% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Tempe
Compare Tempe's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sierra Vista | $955 |
| 2 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 3 | Cottonwood | $1,010 |
| 4 | Green Valley | $1,020 |
| 5 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 6 | Tucson | $1,022 |
| 7 | Prescott | $1,073 |
| 8 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 9 | Glendale | $1,089 |
| 10 | Mesa | $1,110 |
| 11 | Phoenix | $1,128 |
| 12 | Yuma | $1,137 |
| 13 | Prescott Valley | $1,160 |
| 14 | Tempe (this page) | $1,195 |
| 15 | Lake Havasu City | $1,210 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waddell | $2,250 |
| 2 | Anthem | $2,170 |
| 3 | Queen Creek | $2,060 |
| 4 | Gilbert | $2,043 |
| 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? 3 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Tempe.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Tempe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler, AZ | 9.1 mi | $1,379 | +$184 (+15%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $1,383 | +$188 (+16%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $2,043 | +$848 (+71%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,128 | $-67 (-6%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,110 | $-85 (-7%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $1,972 | +$777 (+65%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $1,780 | +$585 (+49%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,089 | $-106 (-9%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $1,690 | +$495 (+41%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $2,060 | +$865 (+72%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $1,650 | +$455 (+38%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $1,320 | +$125 (+10%) |
Studio rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Tempe?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $1,195 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,656.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Tempe?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $47,800 ($3,983/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.98/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tempe expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Tempe's studio median of $1,195 is +7% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 43th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for studio rent in Arizona?
Among the 48 cities in Arizona with studio data, Tempe ranks #14 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Phoenix ($1,128), Mesa ($1,110), Glendale ($1,089).