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ZIP Code · AZ

ZIP 85021

Part of Phoenix, AZ
Pop. 39,828·Maricopa County·173rd most expensive ZIP in Arizona
Median rent (all units)
$1,210/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+0.9%
vs US Median
-$720
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 85021 · $1,210
More affordable than 91% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,930/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$886
1 BR
$963
2 BR
$1,118
3 BR
$1,490
4 BR+
$1,652
Research median
$1,118/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: May 18, 2026

Annual cost
$14,520/yr
At $1,210/mo median
Location
StateAZ
CountyMaricopa County
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 85021 (Phoenix, AZ) is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 35.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
39,828
Median income
$59,768
Median age
34.8
Renters
60.6%
Age distribution
22.9%
27.5%
23.7%
15.3%
Under 1822.9%
18–3427.5%
35–5423.7%
55–6410.7%
65+15.3%
Gender
51%
49%
Male51%
Female49%
Race & ethnicity
45.5%
34.9%
White45.5%
Black12%
Hispanic34.9%
Asian1.9%
Other5.7%
Education (25+)
13.1%
20.3%
31%
35.6%
No HS diploma13.1%
HS diploma20.3%
Some college31%
Bachelor's+35.6%
Housing tenure
39.4%
60.6%
Owner39.4%
Renter60.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 85021 in Phoenix, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,065 → $1,210
up 13.6%
Income
$51,193 → $59,768
up 16.8%
Population
39,611 → 39,828
up 0.5%
Renter share
60.8% → 60.6%
-0.2 pts
Bachelor's+
34.8% → 35.6%
+0.8 pts
Median age
35.4 → 34.8
-0.6 yrs

Compared with 2021, rent in ZIP 85021 in Phoenix, AZ has climbed by $145 per month, settling near $1,210 after starting the period at $1,065. Census figures show median household income at $59,768 today, compared with $51,193 five years earlier. Income growth outran rent by about 3.2 percentage points, easing the affordability math somewhat compared with 2021. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

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Local insights

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About renting in ZIP 85021

Last updated: May 18, 2026

ZIP code 85021 covers Phoenix, AZ. The median rent here is $1,210/mo as of May 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $963/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,118/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($59,768/yr), ZIP 85021 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 0.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 85021?

As of May 18, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 85021 (Phoenix, AZ) is $1,210. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 85021 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 85021's median rent of $1,210/mo is $720 (37%) below the US national median of $1,930/mo.

How does ZIP 85021 compare to other ZIPs in Arizona?

ZIP 85021 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Arizona, ranking #173 out of 183 ZIPs at $1,210/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 85021?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $48,000/year (~$23/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,210/mo in ZIP 85021. The local median household income is $59,768/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 85021?

Rent in ZIP 85021 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.1% change year over year as of May 18, 2026.

Is ZIP 85021 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 85021 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,210/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($59,768/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 85021 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 85021 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 60.6% of ZIP 85021 households are renters, while 39.4% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 85021 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 85021 compare to the rest of Phoenix?

ZIP 85021 is more affordable than Phoenix overall. At $1,210/mo, it's $361 below the Phoenix citywide median of $1,571/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 85021 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 85021 reflects May 18, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Affordability
24%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,210/mo, rent takes ~24% of ZIP 85021's median household income ($59,768/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 85021 24%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 85021 (Phoenix, AZ)

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