Tempe, Arizona
Best Tempe AZ Apartments for Rent
A guide to renting in Tempe, covering the ASU campus area, Mill Avenue, Tempe Town Lake, South Tempe, and the Kyrene Corridor, from neighborhood character and commute times to lease timing and parking realities.
Talk to an Apartment SEO ExpertWhy Renters Choose Tempe
Tempe is the most urban and walkable city in the Phoenix Metro, anchored by Arizona State University, the Valley Metro Light Rail, and Tempe Town Lake. The city attracts one of the youngest and most mobile renter populations in Arizona, combining ASU's 80,000-plus students and staff with a large young professional community drawn by the light rail corridor, Mill Avenue lifestyle, and employment access to both Downtown Phoenix and the East Valley tech corridor.
The Tempe apartment market spans six distinct submarkets, from the student-dense University Drive corridor to the quiet Kyrene Corridor family neighborhoods in the south. Rents average meaningfully below Scottsdale while remaining above Mesa and Chandler, reflecting Tempe's central location and urban lifestyle premium. Whether you are an incoming ASU student, a professional relocating to the Phoenix Metro, or a renter looking for light rail access without paying Old Town Scottsdale prices, understanding Tempe's submarkets before signing a lease makes a significant difference in both cost and quality of life.
Tempe Apartment Neighborhoods
Each Tempe submarket has a distinct character, renter profile, and price point. Here is what to know.
ASU / University Drive
The neighborhood immediately surrounding Arizona State University's Tempe campus, home to the highest concentration of student-oriented apartment communities in Arizona. This submarket is defined by walkability to class buildings, the Memorial Union, and the light rail stations on Apache Boulevard and University Drive. Lease timing is critical here: most units turn over in late April through June for August move-ins.
Best for: ASU undergraduates, graduate students, and students who prioritize walking or biking to class
Commute: Walking distance to ASU Tempe campus, 5 minutes to Downtown Tempe by light rail
Downtown Tempe / Mill Avenue
Tempe's most walkable and energetic neighborhood, anchored by Mill Avenue's restaurants, bars, and retail. Apartments in this submarket attract renters who want urban lifestyle amenity without paying Scottsdale prices. The area is served by two light rail stations and has seen significant new Class A apartment development along the Rio Salado Parkway corridor. Nightlife proximity is a draw for some renters and a consideration for others when evaluating ground-floor and street-facing units.
Best for: Young professionals, graduate students, and lifestyle-driven renters who prioritize walkability and entertainment access
Commute: Light rail to Downtown Phoenix in 20 to 25 minutes, 10 minutes to Scottsdale Road corridor
Tempe Town Lake
The waterfront district surrounding Tempe Town Lake is one of the most desirable addresses in the Phoenix Metro for young professionals. Class A apartment communities here offer lake views, resort amenities, and close proximity to the light rail. Rents are among the highest in Tempe but still considerably below comparable Scottsdale or Downtown Phoenix communities. The area attracts corporate relocators, remote workers, and professionals seeking a lifestyle upgrade without a Scottsdale price tag.
Best for: Corporate relocators, remote workers, and young professionals who value waterfront lifestyle and light rail access
Commute: 15 minutes to Downtown Phoenix by light rail, easy access to Loop 202 and I-10
South Tempe / Kyrene Corridor
South Tempe is the quietest and most family-oriented submarket in the city, stretching south of Baseline Road toward Chandler. Apartments here serve professionals commuting to Chandler's tech corridor, families seeking access to Kyrene School District, and renters who want more space at lower cost than the northern submarkets. The area lacks the walkability of Mill Avenue or the lake amenity of Town Lake, but compensates with newer stock, larger floor plans, and access to Tempe Marketplace and the I-10/Loop 202 interchange.
Best for: Families, professionals commuting to the South Tempe and Chandler tech corridor, and value-focused renters
Commute: 10 to 20 minutes to Chandler tech campuses, 20 to 30 minutes to Downtown Phoenix via I-10
McClintock / Southern
A mid-market Tempe submarket centered on the McClintock Drive and Southern Avenue corridors. This area offers a practical middle ground: lower rents than the lake and Mill Avenue districts, solid proximity to ASU without the student-heavy density of University Drive, and easy access to the Price Road tech corridor and east Tempe employment. The neighborhoods around Tempe Marketplace and Baseline Road draw commuters from multiple directions.
Best for: Mid-market renters, professionals splitting commutes between Tempe and Chandler, and ASU non-campus-adjacent students
Commute: 15 minutes to ASU main campus, 15 minutes to Price Road tech employers, 20 minutes to I-10
Rural Road / Elliot Area
The southern edge of Tempe along Elliot Road and Rural Road is one of the most affordable submarkets in the city, bordering Chandler and Ahwatukee. Apartment communities here are primarily older stock from the 1990s and 2000s with larger floor plans and lower per-square-foot rents. The area works well for renters prioritizing value, access to Chandler employers via Loop 202, and proximity to South Mountain Park recreation.
Best for: Budget-focused renters, Chandler commuters, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts near South Mountain
Commute: 10 to 15 minutes to Chandler via Loop 202, 30 minutes to Downtown Phoenix, 20 minutes to Mesa
Tips for Renting in Tempe
Tempe's rental market has timing, parking, and neighborhood nuances that matter more here than in most Phoenix Metro cities.
Move Fast on ASU-Area Apartments: The Spring Lease Rush Is Real
Apartments within walking distance of ASU's Tempe campus and the University Drive light rail corridor lease faster than almost any submarket in the Phoenix Metro. The spring leasing rush for fall move-ins typically begins in February and most quality units near campus are spoken for by April or May. If you are an incoming student or returning renter targeting this area, start your search no later than January for an August move-in. Waiting until summer gives you limited options at higher prices on remaining inventory.
Light Rail Access Is a Real Amenity, Not Just a Talking Point
The Valley Metro Light Rail runs through Tempe with multiple stations, connecting Tempe directly to Downtown Phoenix, Sky Harbor Airport, Mesa, and Scottsdale's Old Town area. For renters who work in Downtown Phoenix, the airport corridor, or ASU, living within a 10-minute walk of a light rail station can eliminate car costs entirely. When comparing apartments near the rail line, factor in the $65 monthly unlimited pass versus car ownership costs, parking fees, and commute time. Many renters in the Town Lake and Mill Avenue submarkets find the light rail access worth a $100 to $200 rent premium over comparable units without it.
Understand What Parking Costs Near Campus and Downtown
Parking is expensive and scarce in the ASU and Downtown Tempe areas. Many apartment communities near campus charge $50 to $150 per month for a reserved parking space, and street parking near Mill Avenue requires city permits or meters. If you have a car and are renting in the ASU or Mill Avenue districts, confirm parking availability and monthly cost before signing a lease. Several newer mixed-use developments in the area have structured parking that adds meaningfully to your actual monthly housing cost. South Tempe and the Kyrene Corridor communities typically include one parking space at no additional charge.
ASU Graduate Students: Weigh Campus Proximity vs. Noise and Price
Graduate students have different housing needs than undergraduates, and the right Tempe neighborhood often differs accordingly. The immediate ASU campus area maximizes proximity to labs and libraries but comes with undergraduate energy, noise, and premium per-square-foot pricing. The Tempe Town Lake and South Tempe submarkets offer quieter environments, more spacious floor plans, and often competitive pricing relative to the campus core. Graduate students working in specific departments should also consider commuting time to their building, as ASU's Tempe campus spans a large area and a 10-minute bike commute beats a 10-minute drive and parking search.
Compare Tempe to Scottsdale and Mesa Before You Commit
Tempe's geographic location puts it within commuting distance of three distinct markets: Scottsdale to the north, Mesa to the east, and Chandler and Gilbert to the south. Before committing to a Tempe address, check what comparable units cost in these neighboring cities. South Scottsdale apartments near the Tempe border often rent for 15 to 25 percent more than comparable Tempe units, while East Mesa apartments can run 10 to 20 percent less. If your employer is on the Tempe-Mesa border or the Tempe-Chandler border, the neighboring city may offer better value without significantly lengthening your commute.
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Tempe Apartments: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average rent for an apartment in Tempe, AZ?
Average rent in Tempe varies by submarket and unit type. Studio apartments near ASU and Mill Avenue range from $1,100 to $1,600. One-bedroom apartments average $1,300 to $1,900 depending on location, with Town Lake and new construction properties at the higher end. Two-bedroom units range from $1,600 in the Elliot Road area to $2,400 or more at Class A waterfront communities near Tempe Town Lake. Tempe rents generally run 10 to 20 percent below comparable Scottsdale units and 10 to 15 percent above comparable Mesa units, reflecting its central East Valley location and lifestyle amenity.
What is the best Tempe neighborhood for ASU students?
For ASU undergraduates prioritizing walkability to class, the University Drive and Apache Boulevard corridors immediately adjacent to campus offer the shortest commute on foot or bicycle. For students who want a quieter environment with easy access to campus, the McClintock and Southern Avenue area is a 10 to 15 minute light rail or bus ride from main campus. Graduate students often prefer the Tempe Town Lake or South Tempe areas for larger, quieter apartments at competitive prices. The best neighborhood depends on your department building location, whether you have a car, and how heavily you weigh nightlife proximity.
Is Tempe a safe place to rent an apartment?
Tempe has varying safety levels by neighborhood, as does any college city. The Tempe Town Lake, South Tempe, and Kyrene Corridor areas are among the safest in the Phoenix Metro, with very low property and violent crime rates. The immediate ASU campus area and Mill Avenue district have higher incident rates associated with any dense urban and university area, primarily petty theft and minor disturbances rather than violent crime. The city maintains a strong police presence in high-density areas. Checking specific apartment community reviews and verifying the area around your shortlisted properties is worthwhile for any Tempe renter.
Are apartments near ASU more expensive than the rest of Tempe?
Yes, but not uniformly. Apartments directly adjacent to ASU's Tempe campus and within a 5-minute walk of light rail stations command a premium of 10 to 25 percent over comparable units in South Tempe or the Kyrene Corridor. The premium reflects demand from ASU's 80,000-plus student and staff population and the scarcity of walkable options. However, many purpose-built student housing communities in the area offer all-inclusive pricing with utilities bundled, which can partially offset the higher base rent when compared against separately billed utilities at non-student communities farther from campus.
Is Tempe a good place to live for young professionals?
Tempe consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the Phoenix Metro for young professionals due to its combination of urban amenity, light rail access, employment proximity, and cost of living relative to Scottsdale. The Mill Avenue and Tempe Town Lake districts offer a walkable, restaurant-dense lifestyle at 15 to 30 percent lower rent than comparable Scottsdale neighborhoods. Young professionals working in Phoenix, Chandler, or at ASU-affiliated institutions find Tempe's central location minimizes commute time in most directions. The city's large 25 to 34 demographic and active social scene make it one of the easiest Phoenix Metro cities for newcomers to build a social life.
When is the best time to find an apartment in Tempe?
The best time depends on your target submarket. For ASU-area and campus-adjacent apartments, the February through April window gives you the widest selection before the spring lease rush eliminates quality inventory for August move-ins. For Town Lake, Mill Avenue, and South Tempe submarkets, the summer months of June through August typically bring slightly more availability and greater landlord flexibility on move-in specials, since the heat-driven slowdown affects all Phoenix Metro markets. Winter months from November through February are generally the most competitive for non-student housing as snowbirds and corporate relocators arrive, reducing vacancy and negotiating power.
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