Studio Apartment Rent in Tempe, AZ
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Tempe, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,623 and +9% 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 | Winslow | $903 |
| 3 | Arizona City | $942 |
| 4 | Sierra Vista | $955 |
| 5 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 6 | Cottonwood | $1,010 |
| 7 | Green Valley | $1,020 |
| 8 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 9 | Tucson | $1,022 |
| 10 | Prescott | $1,073 |
| 11 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 12 | Glendale | $1,089 |
| 13 | Show Low | $1,100 |
| 14 | Mesa | $1,105 |
| 15 | Phoenix | $1,131 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | $2,170 |
| 2 | Queen Creek | $2,060 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $2,043 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $1,972 |
| 5 | Litchfield Park | $1,950 |
| 6 | Buckeye | $1,870 |
| 7 | San Tan Valley | $1,850 |
| 8 | Surprise | $1,808 |
| 9 | Peoria | $1,780 |
| 10 | Fountain Hills | $1,780 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $1,730 |
| 12 | Tolleson | $1,690 |
| 13 | Flagstaff | $1,670 |
| 14 | Avondale | $1,650 |
| 15 | Waddell | $1,604 |
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 | $1,368 | +$197 (+17%) |
| Paradise Valley, AZ | 11.2 mi | $1,491 | +$320 (+27%) |
| Gilbert, AZ | 13.6 mi | $2,043 | +$872 (+74%) |
| Phoenix, AZ | 14.1 mi | $1,131 | $-40 (-3%) |
| Mesa, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,105 | $-66 (-6%) |
| Scottsdale, AZ | 15.3 mi | $1,972 | +$801 (+68%) |
| Fountain Hills, AZ | 20.2 mi | $1,780 | +$609 (+52%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 23.3 mi | $1,089 | $-82 (-7%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 23.8 mi | $1,690 | +$519 (+44%) |
| Queen Creek, AZ | 24.1 mi | $2,060 | +$889 (+76%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 26.9 mi | $1,650 | +$479 (+41%) |
| Apache Junction, AZ | 27.5 mi | $1,320 | +$149 (+13%) |
Studio rent in Tempe — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Tempe?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Tempe, Arizona is $1,171 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,623.
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 $46,840 ($3,903/month gross), which works out to roughly $22.52/hour at a full-time job.
Is Tempe expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Tempe's studio median of $1,171 is +9% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 41th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Tempe rank for studio rent in Arizona?
Among the 51 cities in Arizona with studio data, Tempe ranks #18 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Tempe?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Phoenix ($1,131), Mesa ($1,105), Glendale ($1,089).