Student Housing Tempe , AZ

Tempe is a vibrant, landlocked city in Maricopa County, Arizona, located just east of Phoenix. It is best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU), one of the largest public universities in the U.S. The city is home to several other top universities in the country and therefore, invites several thousand students to pursue their higher education in various fields.

One of the most common problems that these students face is finding the perfect property for student housing Tempe. There are various options available for students; however, not every property is the best for them. Here is when University Living comes to their rescue. With a pool of more than 5 million properties across 6 continents, all properties at our marketplace are verified and come with actual pictures of the property to build trust in the students. Owing to the best practices followed by University Living, we have a strong experience of more than a decade in providing student accommodation abroad.

When it comes to student housing in Tempe, there are several hundred options available for students to choose from. Tempe has something for everyone, no matter the budget. The prices for student properties also vary depending on the location of the property and the accommodation type. There are 2 broad types of properties in Tempe, namely: Private apartments and PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations). Both these types are made for different classes of people and have been detailed in brief below:

1. PBSAs: These are special properties that are made specifically for students. The properties come with all furnishings, and the utility bills are generally included in the rent. PBSAs are further divided into 4 types, which have been described below:

• Shared Apartment: These apartments are the most budget-friendly options for student rooms in Tempe. In these properties, students get to share a room with 2/3 other occupants. The washroom, living room, and kitchen are all shared among all other roommates of the property.

• En-Suite Accommodations: These are some of the most preferred accommodation types for students as in these properties, students get to have an entire room to themselves that is attached to a washroom. Students also get the opportunity to have a living room and a kitchen that is shared among other residents of the property.

• Non En-Suite Accommodations: These accommodations are very similar to an En-Suite accommodation. The only major difference is that a non-en-suite property does not come with an attached washroom. The washroom is shared among other occupants along with the living room and kitchen.

• Studio Apartments: These properties are the epitome of comfort and privacy in a student accommodation in Tempe. Students get to have an entire unit to themselves, complete with a large room attached to it, a washroom, and a kitchen. All of this is for just one person.

2. Private Apartments: These apartments are independent units that are provided on a lease basis of typically one or two years. These apartments generally come with all sorts of furnishings or as raw units that need furnishings, and the utility bills are also not included in the rent. These properties are best suited for working professionals and students who have already spent at least 2-3 years in the city. Electricity, Water, Gas and Wi-Fi bills are an extra on top of the rent, along with maintenance, property tax and other charges, which are not billed in the rent. This might be a little out of budget for several students.

Tempe, Arizona, located in the Phoenix metro area, is a 40-square-mile city best known as the home of Arizona State University (ASU) and the man-made Tempe Town Lake. Tempe was an agricultural city but after the Second World War, the city saw a major boost in industrial development and is now home to some of the top companies in the world including Carvana and GoDaddy.

Tempe is one of the most highly educated cities in the United States, with more than 50% of the population over 25 having a degree in any field. Also, owing to the high student population in the city, the median age in Tempe is a mere 29 years. The city is also famous for the Tempe Town Lake, a 220-acre man-made reservoir on the Salt River, attracting over 2.4 million visitors annually for kayaking, paddleboarding, and events like Ironman Arizona. Therefore, all of these reasons make Tempe a top choice for students who wish to pursue their higher education in the United States.

Tempe is one of the best cities to live in Arizona and is a bustling city in the east of the state. Students get to choose from a plethora of options for student apartments in Tempe in various neighbourhoods throughout the city. Although students can stay in any neighbourhood, there are several areas that must be avoided due to their distance from major locations in the city and connectivity issues. Here are the top 4 neighbourhoods that already have an established student community and where students can choose to live!

• Downtown Tempe / Mill Avenue District: The Mill Avenue District is one of the best locations to stay in the city. It is Tempe’s central hub for nightlife, dining, and social activity, making it ideal for students who want to be in the heart of Tempe. It is extremely walkable, with most campus buildings just a 5-10-minute walk away. While it offers modern high-rise apartments and easy access to the light rail, it is often the most expensive area due to high demand and noise levels.

• Apache Boulevard Corridor: Located just south and east of the main campus, this area is a primary corridor for purpose-built student housing like The District and Apollo Tempe. It offers a mix of modern amenities such as rooftop pools and study lounges, and provides direct access to the Valley Metro Light Rail for easy commuting. It is highly convenient for those who want to be steps from campus without the full congestion of the downtown core.

• Tempe Town Lake / North Tempe: This scenic neighbourhood is perfect for students who prioritise outdoor recreation, as it features extensive walking and biking trails. It offers a slightly quieter, more "professional" atmosphere compared to Mill Avenue while still being just a short walk or bike ride from ASU. Many newer luxury apartment complexes are located here, balancing urban convenience with a calm, lakeside environment.

• East Tempe / Kyrene Corridor: For students seeking more affordable or quieter residential options, East Tempe provides a budget-friendly alternative to the downtown area. Housing here often includes larger apartment units or shared houses with yards, typically costing $200–$500 less per month than units near campus. While it is further from the nightlife, it remains well-connected via reliable bus routes and extensive bike paths.

Tempe is still a bustling city and is highly affordable. The rent for student properties in Tempe is much less than the average property rent in Arizona and other major cities in the United States. It is important to understand that the cost of living in a city highly depends on the lifestyle that you try to lead and the choices you make while making expenses. However, if you plan your budget properly and try to cap your expenses, you can expect to spend a month in the city for well under $1000. The table below outlines the expenses that you might undertake as a student studying in Tempe.

Note: Students must note that these figures are tentative and might change based on the sort of expenses they make and the lifestyle they choose to lead!

If you are looking for options for student housing in USA, then Tempe city will not let you down. The city has several options to choose from, but not all of those options are worth living at! It is important to find the right accommodation in the city as this directly impacts the next few years that you shall be spending in Tempe. The right property should be affordable and well-connected to the rest of the city through major public transit systems. Therefore, here are the top 5 properties for student accommodations in Tempe:

• Rio Paradise

• Atmosphere Tempe

• Union Tempe

• Nine 20 Tempe

• Lofts on 8th

These properties are some of the best in the city and are absolutely loved by students. Check them on University Living to unlock the best pricing!

Even if you are on a strict budget, Tempe will not let you down. Even in terms of affordability, there are several options available for students to choose from. The best part is that these affordable properties do not compromise on the facilities that they have to provide and the services they have to offer. The top 5 affordable options for student apartments in Tempe include:

• Yugo Tempe Villas

• Redpoint Tempe

• Alight Tempe

• The Gateway at Tempe

• Yugo Tempe Terrace

These properties are the most cost-effective in Tempe and among the top choices for students in the city.

Although the population of Tempe is just under 200,000, the city has an extensive network of public transit systems. These modes of transport act as the lifeline of the city and are used by several thousand people every day. These modes of transit are explained briefly below:

• Orbit Neighbourhood Circulators: This is a free shuttle service provided by the City of Tempe that connects residential neighbourhoods to schools, shopping, and major transit hubs. The six routes are named after planets like Earth, Mars, and Jupiter. These buses operate seven days a week with 15-minute frequencies on most days. In some neighbourhoods, you can spot flag zones where you can simply wave at the driver to be picked up.

• Valley Metro Light Rail: This 28-mile line connects Tempe to Phoenix and Mesa, with multiple stops throughout the ASU Tempe campus and downtown area. It is a high-capacity, frequent-service option ideal for commuting between cities or reaching major regional destinations like the airport. ASU students can ride at a significant discount by purchasing a Student U-Pass.

• Tempe Streetcar: The streetcar travels a 3-mile route with 14 stops along the southern side of the ASU campus and through downtown Tempe. It operates daily every 15–20 minutes and is a great way to move between campus buildings and local dining or entertainment spots. Like the light rail, students can use their U-Pass for easy boarding.

• ASU Intercampus Shuttles: These are free buses that connect the four ASU campuses (Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, West, and Polytechnic) for any student with a valid SunCard. The shuttles are equipped with free Wi-Fi and charging stations, making them popular for students who need to study during their commute.

Tempe has a lot of tourist attractions for students and international travellers. Every year, thousands of travel enthusiasts visit the city to pay a visit to some of the most beautiful and gorgeous tourist attractions in the city. Students must note that most of these locations provide free or discounted tickets to students who carry a valid student ID card. Let’s discuss these in detail:

• Arizona State University (ASU) Tempe Campus: Established as one of the largest public universities in the U.S., the campus is a destination itself, featuring the Palm Walk, the futuristic ISTB 4 building, and the Sun Devil Stadium. Visitors often explore the ASU Art Museum, which is internationally recognised for its contemporary art and ceramics collection. The campus serves as the cultural heart of the city, hosting year-round sporting events, theater performances, and public lectures.

• Tempe Town Lake: This 2nd-mile-long perennial reservoir is a hub for outdoor activity, offering rentals for kayaking, paddleboarding, and electric "donut" boats. The surrounding Tempe Beach Park hosts major festivals, including the annual Ironman Arizona and various massive music festivals like Innings Fest. In 2026, the lake remains a central point for the city’s urban development, lined with modern offices, pedestrian bridges, and scenic jogging paths.

• Mill Avenue District: This historic street is Tempe’s premier entertainment destination, packed with local boutiques, high-energy bars, and a diverse array of restaurants. It is famous for its lively nightlife and is home to the Tempe Festival of the Arts, one of the oldest and largest arts festivals in the Southwest. The district seamlessly blends historic architecture with modern retail, making it the primary walkable urban center for both students and tourists.

• Papago Park: Located on the border of Tempe and Phoenix, this park is famous for its massive sandstone buttes and the iconic Hole-in-the-Rock formation. The park offers relatively easy hiking trails that provide panoramic views of the Tempe skyline and the surrounding Valley of the Sun. It is also home to the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo, making it a versatile spot for nature lovers and families alike.

These tourist spots are some of the most visited places in the city, and students enjoy spending time at these locations.