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ZIP Code · AZ

ZIP 85281

Part of Tempe, AZ
Pop. 72,762·Maricopa County·110th most expensive ZIP in Arizona
Median rent (all units)
$1,687/mo
Year-over-Year
Stable
Month-over-Month
+1.2%
vs US Median
-$278
Rising (Monthly)
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Most AffordableMost Expensive
ZIP 85281 · $1,687
More affordable than 60% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,965/mo
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Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio
$1,590
1 BR
$1,730
2 BR
$2,010
3 BR
$2,680
4 BR+
$2,970
Research median
$2,010/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: July 20, 2026

Annual cost
$20,244/yr
At $1,687/mo median
Location
CityTempe
StateAZ
CountyMaricopa County
Rent Market Meter
Landlord's Market
Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market
Rents are climbing (0.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.
Based on rent-price momentum (+0.1% YoY, +1.2% MoM), not inventory.
Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 85281 (Tempe, AZ) is majority renter-occupied, skews toward younger working-age adults, has a median income below the national average, 50.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population
72,762
Median income
$64,538
Median age
25.4
Renters
76.3%
Age distribution
64.8%
14.6%
Under 189.4%
18–3464.8%
35–5414.6%
55–644.9%
65+6.4%
Gender
54.7%
45.3%
Male54.7%
Female45.3%
Race & ethnicity
53%
24.7%
13.2%
White53%
Black6.9%
Hispanic24.7%
Asian13.2%
Other2.2%
Education (25+)
15%
25.8%
50.1%
No HS diploma9.2%
HS diploma15%
Some college25.8%
Bachelor's+50.1%
Housing tenure
23.7%
76.3%
Owner23.7%
Renter76.3%

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

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 85281 in Tempe, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent
$1,386 → $1,687
up 21.7%
Income
$49,204 → $64,538
up 31.2%
Population
66,878 → 72,762
up 8.8%
Renter share
79.5% → 76.3%
-3.2 pts
Bachelor's+
46.9% → 50.1%
+3.2 pts
Median age
24.8 → 25.4
+0.6 yrs

Since 2021, the typical rent in ZIP 85281 in Tempe, AZ has climbed from $1,386 to $1,687, a 21.7% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $64,538 today, compared with $49,204 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 8.8% since 2021, moving from about 66,878 residents to roughly 72,762. Renters now make up 76.3% of households, compared with 79.5% five years ago. College-educated residents now make up 50.1% of adults here, versus 46.9% in 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

Tips for renters in ZIP 85281

About renting in ZIP 85281

Last updated: July 20, 2026

ZIP code 85281 covers Tempe, AZ. The median rent here is $1,687/mo as of July 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $1,730/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $2,010/mo.

At 31% of local median household income ($64,538/yr), ZIP 85281 ranks as moderate 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 85281?

As of July 20, 2026, the median monthly rent in ZIP 85281 (Tempe, AZ) is $1,687. This is based on aggregated data from public sources and community submissions.

How does ZIP 85281 rent compare to the US average?

ZIP 85281's median rent of $1,687/mo is $278 (14%) below the US national median of $1,965/mo.

How does ZIP 85281 compare to other ZIPs in Arizona?

ZIP 85281 falls in the middle range for Arizona, ranking #110 out of 185 ZIPs at $1,687/mo.

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 85281?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $67,000/year (~$32/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,687/mo in ZIP 85281. The local median household income is $64,538/yr, meaning the typical household falls short of that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 85281?

Rent in ZIP 85281 has been relatively stable over the past year, with a 0.1% change year over year as of July 20, 2026.

Is ZIP 85281 an affordable place to rent?

ZIP 85281 is considered moderate for renters. At $1,687/mo, rent takes approximately 31% of the local median household income ($64,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. ZIP 85281 slightly exceeds that threshold, so budgeting carefully matters here.

What percentage of ZIP 85281 residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 76.3% of ZIP 85281 households are renters, while 23.7% are owner-occupied. With a majority renter population, ZIP 85281 has a strong rental market.

How does ZIP 85281 compare to the rest of Tempe?

ZIP 85281 is pricier than Tempe as a whole. At $1,687/mo, it's $20 above the Tempe citywide median of $1,667/mo.

When was rent data for ZIP 85281 last updated?

Rent data for ZIP 85281 reflects July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.
Income Affordability
31%
MODERATE

At $1,687/mo, rent takes ~31% of ZIP 85281's median household income ($64,538/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

ZIP 85281 31%Benchmark 30%
State income tax2.5%
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Schools nearby

Public schools near ZIP 85281 (Tempe, AZ)

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