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Cost of Living in Tempe, AZ

Population 188,065 · Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates

Median rent$1,743
Median home value$455,400
Median household income$79,663

The median rent in Tempe, AZ is $1,743/month, 13% higher than the Arizona median and 23% higher than the U.S. median. The median home value is $455,400, 37% higher than the national median. Households earn a median of $79,663 a year, about the same as the state median.

Affordability

Rent as a share of median income: 26.3%
Income needed for median rent (30% rule): $69,720/yr
Home price-to-income ratio: 5.7×
Est. mortgage on the median home (20% down, 6.5% for 30 yrs, principal + interest): $2,303/mo

Run your own numbers: mortgage calculator · hourly to salary

Tempe vs. Arizona vs. U.S.

TempeArizonaU.S.
Median rent$1,743$1,543$1,413
Median home value$455,400$394,500$332,700
Median household income$79,663$79,964$80,734
Homeownership rate42.3%67.4%65.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher50.0%33.3%35.7%
Poverty rate15.8%12.5%12.5%
Unemployment rate5.5%5.1%5.2%
Work from home21.2%18.4%15.1%
Median age30.039.038.9

FAQ

What is the average rent in Tempe, AZ?

The median gross rent in Tempe, AZ is $1,743 per month (ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimate).

How much do I need to earn to live in Tempe, AZ?

Using the common 30% rule, renting a median-priced home takes about $69,720 a year in gross income.

Is Tempe, AZ expensive to live in?

Rent there is 23% higher than the U.S. median, and the median home costs about 5.7 times the median household income.

Other cities in Arizona

Phoenix, AZRent $1,582 · Income $81,332Tucson, AZRent $1,145 · Income $57,073Mesa, AZRent $1,620 · Income $82,752Gilbert, AZRent $2,110 · Income $122,551Chandler, AZRent $1,902 · Income $108,095Glendale, AZRent $1,528 · Income $73,530

Cities with a similar cost of living

Chillum, MDRent $1,735 · Income $79,864Santa Paula, CARent $1,736 · Income $79,294Coral Terrace, FLRent $1,759 · Income $80,353Kearny, NJRent $1,720 · Income $79,154West Chester, PARent $1,731 · Income $78,385North Las Vegas, NVRent $1,705 · Income $79,542

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Estimates have margins of error, especially for smaller places. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.

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