Studio Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,667 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 | South Tucson | $713 |
| 2 | Sierra Vista | $955 |
| 3 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 4 | Cottonwood | $1,010 |
| 5 | Green Valley | $1,020 |
| 6 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 7 | Tucson | $1,022 |
| 8 | Prescott | $1,073 |
| 9 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 10 | Glendale | $1,098 |
| 11 | Mesa | $1,117 |
| 12 | Phoenix | $1,130 |
| 13 | Yuma | $1,137 |
| 14 | Prescott Valley | $1,160 |
| 15 | Tempe (this page) | $1,203 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waddell | $2,250 |
| 2 | Paradise Valley | $2,170 |
| 3 | Anthem | $2,170 |
| 4 | Queen Creek | $2,060 |
| 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 | $1,375 | +$172 (+14%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $2,170 | +$967 (+80%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $1,457 | +$254 (+21%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,130 | $-73 (-6%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,117 | $-86 (-7%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $1,972 | +$769 (+64%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $1,780 | +$577 (+48%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,098 | $-105 (-9%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $1,690 | +$487 (+40%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $2,060 | +$857 (+71%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $1,650 | +$447 (+37%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $1,320 | +$117 (+10%) |
Studio rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Tempe?
As of July 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $1,203 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,667.
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 $48,120 ($4,010/month gross), which works out to roughly $23.13/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tempe expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Tempe's studio median of $1,203 is +7% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 44th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for studio rent in Arizona?
Among the 49 cities in Arizona with studio data, Tempe ranks #15 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Phoenix ($1,130), Mesa ($1,117), Glendale ($1,098).