Average Rent in 85281, Tempe, AZ

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Current Versus Historical 85281, Tempe, AZ Rents

85281 rentals average $1,704 for a studio rental to $3,500 for a 4-bedroom rental. The median price of all currently available listings is $2,195, or roughly $21 per square feet.

For the apartment units and housing in July 2026, median rents have risen substantially over the last year. Studio rentals prices have decreased by $1,268 (-49.18%) year-over-year from $2,578 to $1,310. 1-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $172 (13.98%) year-over-year from $1,231 to $1,403. 2-bedroom rentals prices have decreased by $99 (-5.23%) year-over-year from $1,894 to $1,795. 3-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $50 (2.05%) year-over-year from $2,450 to $2,500. 4-bedroom rentals prices have increased by $467 (15.38%) year-over-year from $3,033 to $3,500. Note that this figure includes all active and rented listings throughout the month.

Month-to-month, seasonality might have a bigger impact than overall trend price changes. Studio rents have gone down by 4.54% this month. 1-bedroom rents have gone down by 0.67% this month. 2-bedroom rents have gone up by 1.72% this month. 3-bedroom rents have gone up by 2.46% this month. 4-bedroom rents have gone up by 7.44% this month.

Beds	Price / Sqft	Jul 2026 Rent	1 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)	3 Yr Ago Rent (% +/-)
Studio	$27.05	$1,310	$2,578 (-49.18%)	$1,038 (26.16%)
1 BR	$25.76	$1,403	$1,231 (13.98%)	$1,253 (11.90%)
2 BR	$19.85	$1,795	$1,894 (-5.23%)	$1,638 (9.62%)
3 BR	$20.40	$2,500	$2,450 (2.05%)	$2,558 (-2.25%)
4+ BR	$21.02	$3,500	$3,033 (15.38%)	$2,782 (25.82%)

Historical Rents in 85281, Tempe, AZ

Studio

1 Bed

2 Bed

3 Bed

4 Bed

Top Cities Near 85281

There are a total of 4 cities nearby 85281. The average rent in 85281 is currently $2,375 per month. Only one city nearby has an average rent lower than that. Our records show that Phoenix, AZ, with an average rent of $2,100, is the most affordable city nearby. In contrast, the most expensive city near 85281, Tempe, AZ is Paradise Valley, AZ. Monthly rents here are on average $21,900 per month.

Let's compare 85281, Tempe, AZ's rent against other top cities nearby by bedroom size. Typically, rent for studios in 85281, Tempe, AZ is 35.90% more expensive than other cities nearby. One bedrooms are about 6.63% more expensive. Two bedrooms in 85281, Tempe, AZ are about 0.22% more expensive. Finally, rent for three bedrooms are about 1.50% more expensive. Want more information? Check out the top 4 cities near 85281, Tempe, AZ in the following table.

City	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Phoenix, AZ	$825	$1,325	$1,700	$2,100
Tempe, AZ	$1,615	$1,413	$1,772	$2,300
Chandler, AZ	$1,360	$1,695	$1,920	$2,450
Paradise Valley, AZ	N/A	$11,500	$18,000	$21,900

Top Neighborhoods Near 85281

There are a total of 6 neighborhoods in or near 85281. Some of these neighborhoods include Downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale Ranch, and Desert Ridge. We've included all of these top 6 neighborhoods in or near 85281, Tempe, AZ in the following table.

The average rent for these 6 neighborhoods in or near 85281, Tempe, AZ is currently around $3,649 per month. A total of one neighborhood has a lower average rent. Meaning, only five neighborhoods have a higher average rent than $3,649. Interestingly, the neighborhoods' average rent is higher than 85281's average rent, which is only $2,195. Out of all the neighborhoods in or near 85281, Downtown Phoenix has the most affordable average rent at $1,995 per month. Whereas, at $4,425 average rent per month, McCormick Ranch is the most expensive neighborhood in or near 85281. View the following table for more information.

Neighborhood	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
Downtown Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ	$778	$1,914	$2,500	$1,995
Scottsdale Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ	N/A	$2,548	$3,500	$3,500
Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ	N/A	$2,300	$2,950	$3,600
Downtown Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ	$1,900	$2,795	$3,350	$3,697
Greyhawk, Scottsdale, AZ	N/A	$2,100	$3,250	$4,000
McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ	$2,025	$2,250	$3,998	$4,425

Top Counties Near 85281

County	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All

Top Zipcodes Near 85281

There are a total of 41 zipcodes in or near 85281, Tempe, AZ. The average rent for all of these zipcodes is $2,300. A total of 15 zipcodes have an average rent that is lower than that. The zipcode with the most affordable average rent for apartment listings is 85021, Phoenix, AZ at $1,399 per month. In comparison, the zipcode with the most expensive average rent of $15,000 per month is 85253, Paradise Valley, AZ.

Do you need more space than that? Average rent for one bedroom rentals for the zipcodes in or near 85281, Tempe, AZ is $1,385 per month. Or in other words, $24 per sqft. Meanwhile, two bedroom apartments will cost you an average of $1,823 per month. Which comes out to $21 per sqft. The following table includes the top 10 zipcodes in 85281, Tempe, AZ. You can view the average rent breakdown for each zipcode by bedroom size.

Zipcode	Studio	1 Bed	2 Bed	All
85251, Scottsdale, AZ	$1,253	$1,946	$2,500	$3,000
85282, Tempe, AZ	$1,024	$1,274	$1,596	$2,750
85018, Phoenix, AZ	$699	$1,385	$2,095	$2,700
85258, Maricopa County, AZ	$2,025	$2,122	$3,600	$4,000
85257, Scottsdale, AZ	N/A	$1,492	$1,763	$3,400
85016, Phoenix, AZ	$875	$1,495	$2,250	$2,200
85008, Phoenix, AZ	$847	$1,248	$1,495	$1,473
85250, Scottsdale, AZ	N/A	$1,750	$2,300	$3,173
85255, Scottsdale, AZ	N/A	$2,200	$3,500	$5,000
85260, Scottsdale, AZ	N/A	$1,816	$3,350	$3,600

Frequently Asked Questions - 85281 Average Rents

What is the average rent price in 85281, Tempe, AZ?

The average monthly rental price for 85281, Tempe, AZ apartments for rent is approximately $2,195. This calculation takes into consideration rental listings of varying bedroom/bathroom sizes, building types, and locations.

Do 85281, Tempe, AZ rent prices drop in winter?

Yes! On average we see a 3.4% drop in rental prices between the peak summer months and the slower winter months. With the added bonus of decreased competition from other renters looking to move, winter is generally considered the best time of the year to find an apartment for rent in 85281, Tempe, AZ.

How much is a studio apartment in 85281, Tempe, AZ?

The average monthly rental price for studio apartments is $1,704 and an average price per square feet of $27.05. There are a total of 18 studio apartment listings currently available for rent in 85281.

How much is a one bedroom apartment in 85281, Tempe, AZ?

The average monthly rental price for one bedroom apartments is $1,664 and an average price per square feet of $25.76. There are a total of 41 one bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in 85281.

How much is a two bedroom apartment in 85281, Tempe, AZ?

The average monthly rental price for two bedroom apartments is $1,850 and an average price per square feet of $19.85. There are a total of 85 two bedroom apartment listings currently available for rent in 85281.

How have rent prices in 85281, Tempe, AZ changed this year?

Rent prices for rentals in 85281, Tempe, AZ can fluctuate yearly. Specifically, studio rental prices have changed by -0.49%, one bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.14%, two bedroom rental prices have changed by -0.05%, three bedroom rental prices have changed by 0.02% year-over-year.

What is a reasonable rent price in 85281, Tempe, AZ?

A reasonable rent price in 85281, Tempe, AZ is around $1,756/month. You can search for these reasonably priced rental listings on RentHop.