Retirement Lists

Tempe, Arizona

Hayden Flour Mill and Silos from north of Tempe Town Lake

Tempe cost of living

Tempe’s selected walkable areas come with a higher housing and cooling plan

Tempe’s published local monthly estimate is $3,971, with a $5,609 traveler estimate and a $5,676 couple estimate. Housing is $1,572 for a typical one bedroom, utilities reference is $265 with utilities included in rent, food is $594 per month, healthcare is $516, and transportation is $1,289. The traveler estimate is Moderate, the couple estimate is Moderate, the one bedroom rent display is Very Good, dining is $387 with a Good display, property taxes are Low with a Good display, cost pressure is Moderate, and the need for a car is Recommended.

The older household rows show 8.3 percent below poverty, 21.5 percent renting, 26.7 percent with high housing costs, and $79,993 median household income for a householder age 65 plus. These aggregate rows do not describe a particular Tempe household, but they make housing, cooling, transportation, insurance, care, and home condition worth pricing together.

Planning a monthly budget

Tempe’s $3,971 local estimate, $5,609 traveler estimate, and $5,676 couple estimate need to sit beside $1,572 housing, $265 utilities reference, $594 food, $516 healthcare, $387 dining, $1,289 transportation, and the Recommended car row.

Housing
$1,572
Utilities (in rent)
$265
Food
$594/mo
Transportation
$1,289/mo
Healthcare
$516

Utilities are included in housing so they are not added twice. The separate Utilities row is a reference estimate.

How the total can change

A solo Tempe household, a couple, and a family visit month can place different demands on housing, utilities, cooling, care, parking, airport travel, and a car light plan.

Comfortable Living
$5,609

Moderate

Cost of Living for Couple
$5,676

Moderate

Typical 1BR Rent
$1,572

Very Good

Everyday expenses

Tempe’s housing, utilities, food, healthcare, dining, transportation, cooling, insurance, parking, maintenance, and care travel all draw from the same household plan.

Dining Out
$387/mo

Good

Need for a Car
Recommended
Property Taxes
Low

Good

Overall Feel
Moderate
Residents 65+ Below Poverty Level
8.3%
65+ Householder — Renter Occupied
21.5%
65+ Households With High Housing Costs
26.7%
Median Household Income, Householder 65+
$79,993

Tempe in everyday life

Could Tempe work for you?

What may work well

  • The $1,572 typical one bedroom and $3,971 local monthly estimate give Tempe households a clear starting point.
  • Low property taxes with a Good display, the Town Lake setting, parks, arts, care routes, and airport options create concrete planning anchors.
  • Tempe’s selected walkable areas, Tempe Center for the Arts, public activities, and family routes give the budget specific destinations to include.

What to think about

  • The $1,289 transportation line, $516 healthcare, $387 dining, and Recommended car can add substantial household pressure beside $1,572 housing.
  • A 106°F average summer high and 171 days above 90 can move costs from rent into cooling, shade, power, maintenance, and summer travel choices.
  • Older household rows show 21.5 percent renting and 26.7 percent high housing costs, so a strong household income row does not describe every person’s financial room.

Before trusting the Tempe monthly estimate

  1. Price the actual home

    Place $1,572 housing, the $265 utilities reference, cooling, insulation, shade, insurance, parking, maintenance, power, and visitor space in the same Tempe plan.

  2. Run the Recommended car routes

    Map Banner Desert, HonorHealth Tempe, pharmacies, groceries, Town Lake, Tempe Beach Park, arts, Phoenix Sky Harbor, parking, and family help from the selected address.

  3. Keep older household pressure visible

    Use $594 food, $516 healthcare, $387 dining, 8.3 percent below poverty, 21.5 percent renting, 26.7 percent high housing costs, and $79,993 median income as separate planning questions.

  4. Review the home in summer

    Ask about cooling, windows, insulation, shade, roof, power, drainage, wildfire and flood exposure, water planning, insurance, parking, and the cost of staying comfortable indoors.

Questions retirees ask

How much does it cost to live in Tempe?

The published local monthly estimate is $3,971, the traveler estimate is $5,609, and the couple estimate is $5,676. Typical one bedroom rent is $1,572, utilities reference is $265 with utilities included in rent, food is $594, healthcare is $516, dining is $387, and transportation is $1,289. Treat these as planning estimates.

Is Tempe affordable for older households?

Tempe’s cost pressure display is Moderate and property taxes are Low with a Good display. The published older household rows show 8.3 percent below poverty, 21.5 percent renting, 26.7 percent high housing costs, and $79,993 median income for a householder age 65 plus. Compare the actual home, cooling, care, transport, and support plan.

Do you need a car in Tempe?

The published need for a car is Recommended and transportation is $1,289 per month. Map care, groceries, pharmacy, Town Lake, parks, arts, parking, Phoenix Sky Harbor, heat protected routes, and family help before choosing a home.

What should I budget beyond Tempe rent?

Start with $1,572 housing, the $265 utilities reference, $594 food, $516 healthcare, $387 dining, and $1,289 transportation. Then ask about cooling, insurance, maintenance, parking, shade, power, water planning, prescriptions, care travel, and visitors.

Does a walkable Tempe area lower costs?

It may change some car and parking needs, but the Recommended car row does not price every route. Summer heat, cooling, groceries, care, pharmacy trips, utilities, rent, insurance, and the final path to the door still belong in the household budget.

Tempe offers selected walkable areas, parks, arts, and care routes, while $1,572 housing, $1,289 transportation, cooling, a Recommended car, older household pressure, and intense summer heat decide whether the monthly picture works. For Tempe’s cost plan, choose Save, Compare, or Find my fit.

Sources

The budget value gives a starting point for everyday spending. Housing, healthcare, safety, and climate can change what feels comfortable for a household.

Housing mix, exchange rates, healthcare needs, car ownership, and travel style can move a real monthly budget materially.

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