Tempe, AZ Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Tempe, AZ: What You Need to Know

Tempe in south-central Arizona was named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece, celebrated by ancient poets as an idyllic landscape. America’s Tempe is a thriving urban center and part of the metropolitan Phoenix area.

Schools and Higher Education

Tempe is home to Arizona State University (51,585 students), which boasts of five Nobel Prize winners and seven Pulitzer Prize winners among its faculty members. It offers over 800 undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition to ASU, there are 29 colleges within 50 miles of the city. There are 59 public schools in Tempe’s public-school system (27,342 students). Tempe Preparatory Academy and Corona Del Sol High School are among the top-ranked schools.

The Cost of Living in Tempe

The cost of living rate and housing costs in Tempe (population: 195,805) are 4.9% and 0.1% higher than the national average. The good news – it’s less expensive to live in Tempe than in its neighbors Phoenix and Mesa. Also, Tempe’s food cost is 42.8% lower than the national average. The median gross rent in the city is $1,114. In Arizona, residents pay 2.59% to 4.50% in income tax and 5.60% to 11.20% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Many people move to Tempe from Phoenix for its affordability and good schools. Living near Tempe Town Lake, a reservoir, also means an abundance of outdoor activities. If you’re planning to rent in Tempe, you’ll be part of the majority. Other Phoenix suburbs such as Chandler and Gilbert are within commuting distance of Tempe and they have highly rated public schools.

Things to Do in Tempe

One of Tempe's most popular attractions is Hayden Butte Preserve, which offers stunning views of the city. The protected area has about 500 petroglyphs made by the Hohokam, the area’s prehistoric inhabitants. Locals love to go biking, boating, kayaking, and fishing at the Tempe Beach Park, a one-acre landmark along Tempe Town Lake. The park features a baseball diamond and the Splash Pad, which has a slide, waterfall, and spray cannons.

Getting Around the City

Valley Metro’s regional bus, light rail, and paratransit services are popular among commuters. The Valley Metro Rail operates a 66-mile transit system for Tempe, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, and Phoenix. Also, Tempe provides a free service called Orbit to take residents to local destinations such as shopping areas, neighborhoods, major bus routes, and schools. There are six Orbit routes that operate seven days a week year-round. Airports closest to Tempe are Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.