Last updated
Average Rent in Tempe 85281 & Rent Trends
Rent prices and market trends across 6 apartment communities in Tempe 85281, Tempe, AZ. Updated daily.
Market Average
$3,118/mo
Lowest Available
$1,450/mo
cheapest unit on market
Communities
6
tracked daily
Units Listed
12
available now
Rent Watch: cuts and increases
Open Rent Watch →4 cuts and 0 increases among 6 comparable listings this week. Filter by bedrooms and budget, then inspect each building’s history.
- SALT
↓ $94/mo
Cut of 2.4% · Unit 2035
- Skywater at Tempe Town Lake
↓ $65/mo
Cut of 2.1% · Unit 3070
Tempe 85281 vs Tempe, AZ Average
Tempe 85281 is more expensive than the Tempe, AZ average by $1,327/mo (74%). The citywide average is $1,791/mo across all neighborhoods.
Is Rent Going Up or Down in Tempe 85281?
As of October 2026, the average rent in Tempe 85281 is $3,118 per month across 6 apartment communities and 12 available units.
The most affordable option is Rise at the Retreat starting at $1,450/mo. By unit type, a 3-bedroom averages $3,118/mo.
Prices range from $1,450 to $4,947 per month. The most common price point is the $2,400 range, where 3 units are currently listed.
Tempe 85281 Rent Price History
View as table
| Month | Avg Rent | Change | Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 | $2,450 | - | 5 |
| June 2026 | $2,458 | +$8 | 6 |
| July 2026 | $2,042 | -$416 | 8 |
| August 2026 | $1,814 | -$228 | 10 |
| September 2026 | $1,868 | +$54 | 10 |
| October 2026 | $1,845 | -$23 | 10 |
The trend line and monthly averages track each building's average listed price, recorded daily with outliers trimmed. The current month is a month-to-date figure, so it can sit above or below today's live market average shown at the top of this page.
Rent Price Distribution
Rent by Bedroom Type in Tempe 85281
Rent Prices by Apartment in Tempe 85281
| Property | Starting at | Average | Units | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise at the Retreat | $1,450/mo | $1,450/mo | 1 | 3.9 |
| NOVO Broadway Apartments | $2,498/mo | $2,498/mo | 2 | 4.4 |
| Northbend Apartments | $2,583/mo | $2,583/mo | 1 | 4.6 |
| West 6th | $2,913/mo | $3,547/mo | 4 | 3 |
| Skywater at Tempe Town Lake | $3,110/mo | $3,110/mo | 2 | 3.7 |
| SALT | $3,905/mo | $3,988/mo | 2 | 3.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Rent in Tempe 85281
What is the average rent in Tempe 85281?
Is rent going up or down in Tempe 85281?
What is the cheapest apartment in Tempe 85281?
How many apartments are available in Tempe 85281?
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Tempe 85281?
Built on the 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Minimum to afford average rent
$125,000/year
Based on the 30 percent rule, using our tracked average rent of $3,118/mo.
Comfortable income
$150,000/year
Based on the 25 percent rule, leaving more room for savings, transport, and groceries.
To afford the cheapest tracked apartment ($1,450/mo), you need to earn at least $58,000/year.
Median household income in Tempe 85281 is $77,643 , about 48% below the comfortable-living threshold.
Cost of living in Tempe 85281
Overall prices in Tempe 85281 runs above the national average by about 5% (BEA Regional Price Parity index 104.7, where 100 equals the U.S. average). The breakdown below estimates monthly costs for a single adult, using national consumer-spending baselines from the Bureau of Labor Statistics scaled by Tempe 85281's regional price parities.
| Category | Monthly estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent (market average) | $3,118 |
| Utilities | $534 |
| Groceries | $531 |
| Transportation | $1,274 |
| Healthcare | $621 |
| Other goods and services | $994 |
| Estimated total | $7,074/mo |
Population
186,419
Median household income
$77,643
Census median rent
$1,623/mo
Census rent burden
30.9%
Median age
29.9
Mean commute
21 min
Methodology
Rent data
Sourced directly from each tracked apartment community and refreshed every 24 hours. Every listed unit price on this page is real and listed today.
Cost of living
Estimates combine national consumer-spending baselines from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Expenditure Survey) with the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (MARPP dataset). Both are peer-reviewed federal data releases published annually.
Salary to live comfortably
Applies the standard 25 to 30 percent rent-to-income rule on top of the listed rent. This is the same affordability guideline used by most landlords and credit-scoring models.
Demographic figures
Median household income, population, median age, commute time, Census median rent, and rent as percentage of income come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the most recent complete release.
Cost of living and demographic figures were last published in 2023.
Google Search Trends for Tempe 85281 Apartments
Search interest for apartments in this area over the past 12 months.
Search Interest Over Time
Explore Tempe 85281 Apartments
Browse all 6 communities with daily-updated pricing and availability.