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ZIP Code · AZ

ZIP 85203

Part of Mesa, AZ
Pop. 38,035·Maricopa County·156th most expensive ZIP in Arizona
Median rent (all units)
$1,367/mo
Year-over-Year
+1.7%
Month-over-Month
+1.0%
vs US Median
-$595
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 85203 · $1,367
More affordable than 82% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,962/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,320
1 BR
$1,440
2 BR
$1,670
3 BR
$2,230
4 BR+
$2,470
Research median
$1,670/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: August 17, 2026

Annual cost
$16,404/yr
At $1,367/mo median
Location
CityMesa
StateAZ
CountyMaricopa County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (1.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, +1.0% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 85203 (Mesa, AZ) is majority owner-occupied, has a large share of families with children, 28.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
38,035
Median income
$73,578
Median age
33.2
Renters
43.4%
Age distribution
26.1%
26.5%
23.9%
12.3%
Under 1826.1%
18–3426.5%
35–5423.9%
55–6411.1%
65+12.3%
Gender
51.4%
48.6%
Male51.4%
Female48.6%
Race & ethnicity
60.7%
30.7%
White60.7%
Black4.2%
Hispanic30.7%
Asian2.5%
Other1.9%
Education (25+)
26%
34.8%
28.4%
No HS diploma10.8%
HS diploma26%
Some college34.8%
Bachelor's+28.4%
Housing tenure
56.6%
43.4%
Owner56.6%
Renter43.4%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 85203 in Mesa, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,125 → $1,367
up 21.5%
Income
$62,514 → $73,578
up 17.7%
Population
38,719 → 38,035
down 1.8%
Renter share
44.1% → 43.4%
-0.7 pts
Bachelor's+
25.7% → 28.4%
+2.7 pts
Median age
31.8 → 33.2
+1.4 yrs

Across the past five years, the going rent in ZIP 85203 in Mesa, AZ has shifted from $1,125 to $1,367, up 21.5% since 2021. Local incomes tracked alongside that move, going from a median of $62,514 in 2021 to $73,578 more recently. Because rent grew faster than wages over the same span, the affordability picture has tightened relative to 2021. Census counts show ZIP 85203 in Mesa, AZ losing about 684 residents over the five-year window, down 1.8% on net. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 25.7% to 28.4% across the same window. These shifts give renters and would-be renters a longer baseline for sizing up today's listings against the ZIP 85203 in Mesa, AZ market of 2021.

Community

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Local insights

Tips for renters in ZIP 85203

About renting in ZIP 85203

Last updated: August 17, 2026

ZIP code 85203 covers Mesa, AZ. The median rent here is $1,367/mo as of August 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,440/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $1,670/mo.

At 22% of local median household income ($73,578/yr), ZIP 85203 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is rent in ZIP code 85203?

As of August 17, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 85203 (Mesa, AZ) is $1,367. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 85203 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 85203's median rent of $1,367/mo is $595 (30%) below the US national median of $1,962/mo.

How does ZIP 85203 compare to other ZIPs in Arizona?

ZIP 85203 is among the more affordable ZIP codes in Arizona, ranking #156 out of 183 ZIPs at $1,367/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 85203?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $55,000/year (~$26/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,367/mo in ZIP 85203. The local median household income is $73,578/yr, meaning the typical household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 85203?

Rent in ZIP 85203 has increased 1.7% over the past year as of August 17, 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Is ZIP 85203 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 85203 is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,367/mo, rent takes approximately 22% of the local median household income ($73,578/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 85203 falls comfortably within that range.

What percentage of ZIP 85203 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 43.4% of ZIP 85203 households are renters, while 56.6% are owner-occupied. ZIP 85203 leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does ZIP 85203 compare to the rest of Mesa?

ZIP 85203 is more affordable than Mesa overall. At $1,367/mo, it's $173 below the Mesa citywide median of $1,540/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 85203 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 85203 reflects August 17, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
22%
VERY AFFORDABLE

At $1,367/mo, rent takes ~22% of ZIP 85203's median household income ($73,578/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 85203 22%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
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Schools nearby

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