I’m Andrew, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Phoenix. The metro has a ton to offer with appealing neighborhoods throughout, but many renters flock to specific areas for affordability, space, amenities, and proximity to work or school.
With that in mind, I’m going to walk you through some of the best cities in the Phoenix area for renters.
To start with, the Phoenix metro has been around since the mid 1800s, but the population didn’t really boom until after air conditioning became more readily affordable. Go figure.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Phoenix Metro Area
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,355 | $615 | $4,244 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,557 | $526 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,929 | $810 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,488 | $727 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,587 | $770 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Apartments | $6,895 | $999 | $10,000+ |
Since then, Phoenix has consistently been one of the fastest growing cities in the country. With technology, aerospace, finance, and other major industries investing heavily, Phoenix is a professional city deep in the desert.
As I take you through the best cities in the metro, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, I’m going to skip the city of Phoenix itself. It’s by far the largest city in the metroplex, and it’s at the heart of everything in the area. Today, we’re specifically considering places that are in Phoenix without being “in Phoenix.”
As for the cities that go unmentioned, there are still great places to live in each of them, and they might suit you well. I’m aiming for specific cities that have something special to offer outside the normal Phoenix experience.
With that in mind, let’s get started.
Scottsdale
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,574 | $799 | $3,365 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,828 | $825 | $10,000+ |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $2,449 | $995 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $3,793 | $830 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,082 | $770 | $10,000+ |
Definitely known as the upscale region in Phoenix, Scottsdale brushes the northeast edge of Phoenix and spreads north from there, covering significant ground. Near downtown, Scottsdale is more urban, but as you get to the northern region, it feels suburban and then almost rural with ranches and spacey housing.
The cost of living is much higher in Scottsdale, and for that, you get access to some of the nicest amenities in the metro. Crime is considerably lower, schools are nationally competitive, and life feels more relaxed compared to downtown.
Aside from Paradise Valley, which is very small, Scottsdale has the highest average cost of living for any city in the metro. The recommended income for “comfortable living” is $138,000 per year for a family and $75,000 per year for a single adult.
Scottsdale tends to be the most popular choice in the metro for high-income professionals and retirees.
Gilbert
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,394 | $959 | $2,160 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,590 | $875 | $3,181 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,926 | $950 | $7,312 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,404 | $1,375 | $6,561 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,454 | $3,327 | $3,582 |
Gilbert and Chandler are two of the best cities in the Phoenix metro for young professionals. Gilbert sits just south of Mesa, near the southern edge of the greater region, and it’s known for housing big professional employers.
Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, and Morgan Stanley are just a few big names in the city, providing high-value employment for tens of thousands. If you work for any of the big companies in Gilbert, it’s the place to be, and not just because of the easier commute.
A strong professional community lives here, making it easier to network and make friends with people of similar professions.
With such strong professional development, it’s no surprise that Gilbert has some of the best public schools in the Phoenix area. That makes it ideal for families, especially younger families. The neighborhoods are much more suburban than urban, and the area ranks well above average for low crime and safety.
Gilbert also brings a lot to lifestyle. The heritage district has great places for shopping, eating and entertainment. Being on the southern edge of the metro, Gilbert also has abundant outdoor spaces for hiking, cycling, sports, and fun in general.
Chandler
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,318 | $899 | $3,168 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,620 | $995 | $5,647 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,912 | $1,000 | $9,784 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,457 | $1,375 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $5,018 | $2,436 | $9,702 |
Chandler butts up against the west side of Gilbert, and is almost the city’s twin. Chandler also plays home to large employers and a large professional population. You can also find a lot of small and rapidly growing technology businesses in Chandler, earning it the nickname “Silicone Desert.” Many people who work in Chandler live in Gilbert and vice versa, and it’s difficult to say one city is clearly better than the other.
Chandler schools compete toe-to-toe with Gilbert schools, and both cities have access to many of the same large outdoor spaces.
Chandler has two distinctions that can help potential residents choose between it and Gilbert. First is Chandler’s downtown. Despite being in the Phoenix metro, downtown Chandler feels charming. Lots of family-friendly spaces are available, making it a fun place to spend time.
The other major distinction is that Chandler blends suburban and urban more than Gilbert does. While you can find plenty of apartments and condos in either city, areas of Chandler start to feel more urban (as you get closer to Phoenix). Anyone who wants to feel more like they're in the city and its action might prefer Chandler.
Overall, Chandler offers great places to work, competitive housing prices and cost of living, combined with a mix of city and suburban lifestyles.
Peoria
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,159 | $825 | $2,178 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,358 | $695 | $4,131 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,583 | $895 | $5,887 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,914 | $1,156 | $6,391 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $3,185 | $1,679 | $6,644 |
On the opposite side of Phoenix, you’ll find Peoria. Peoria starts in the northwest area of the greater metro and stretches well out of the city all the way to Lake Pleasant. This geography means that Peoria covers a good mix of urban and suburban areas, with some very spread out neighborhoods and areas in the northern reaches.
Peoria has lower housing prices for the metro area, and it doesn’t come with high crime. That said, Peoria is one of the larger cities in the area, and you’ll see more disparity across neighborhoods.
One of the great appeals of Peoria is the sports complex. Here you’ll find the spring training grounds for the Padres and the Mariners. For people who aren’t big baseball fans, this is a big deal. During the spring training months (February and March) the population of the city increases, just for the games.
The Cactus League includes 15 MLB teams across the Phoenix metro and over 200 professional games. To put it in perspective, more than 1.7 million people attended games in 2026 alone.
All of this is to say, if you enjoy baseball and/or spring sports, it’s fun to be in Peoria. If you’re not a fan, it means a lot of extra traffic for something that doesn’t excite you.
Baseball aside, Peoria is one of the fastest growing cities in the metro. It offers much more space than most of the area and a wider range of living options. It’s great for families, young professionals, retirees, and more. In fact, Peoria is probably compatible with the widest range of potential new residents of any city in Phoenix.
Glendale
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,030 | $683 | $2,178 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,290 | $695 | $4,131 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,553 | $869 | $5,887 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,859 | $1,156 | $6,653 |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $2,733 | $1,679 | $6,644 |
Glendale borders Peoria, but it does not stretch as far north. Glendale is fairly central in the greater metro. Many people who work in downtown Phoenix like working in Glendale for a shorter commute and lower housing prices.
That said, Glendale has plenty of large employers right in the city. You’ll find a lot of the metro’s industrial work at the edges between Glendale and Phoenix. You’ll also find a lot of medical and education work here.
Glendale is a palace close to Phoenix where you can get some of that urban lifestyle with a little less crowding and a lower cost of living.
Something that separates Glendale is the community feel. Glendale is known for the historic downtown, also referred to as Arizona’s antique capital. Glendale also hosts great events including regular farmer’s markets that draw a lot of attention.
With all of that said, Glendale sees the highest crime of any city on this list so far (although not the highest in Maricopa County). It’s also more crowded than many of the other options.
Glendale is great for people trying to get into the heart of the city for professional and personal growth. While many people raise families here, if you’re looking for more space or the most competitive schools, this isn’t your pick.
Honorable Mention: Tempe
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,449 | $675 | $3,994 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,565 | $825 | $7,315 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,858 | $899 | $9,784 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $2,607 | $830 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,722 | $770 | $10,000+ |
Tempe is wedged between Phoenix and Chandler. Tempe has plenty to offer, and I’ll get to that, but it’s an honorable mention for a reason. Most people, if given complete freedom of choice, wouldn’t choose Tempe over many other cities in the Phoenix metro. It’s more crowded. The cost of living is high compared to the quality of housing you typically find, and crime is a little higher.
Despite that, hundreds of thousands of people live here, and for good reason.
At the top of the list of those reasons is Arizona State University. It sits primarily in Tempe (with some ASU property in other parts of the metro), and it’s one of the largest college campuses in the country. More than 50,000 students regularly attend classes at the ASU main campus.
You can see the draw. If you attend ASU or work there, it’s a good reason to live in Tempe. You can minimize your commute, and you can trust that you’ll be inundated with the Sun Devil spirit. It’s a whole subculture, and if that interests you, it can be a lot of fun.
While there are plenty of other reasons to live in Tempe, ASU is the primary reason I included it as an honorable mention. After all, students and staff make up more than 25 percent of the city’s population.
Key Takeaways
The Phoenix area has so much to offer. It’s why so many people come here and stay. If you’re looking at renting in the surrounding cities, remember a few things. Phoenix itself makes up the center of the metro, and it’s the biggest city in the area in terms of population and area. Everything revolves around Phoenix.
Living in a surrounding area can help you with housing affordability. It can offer unique amenities (like living close to Lake Pleasant or any of the mountain parks), and it can match a number of different lifestyles. In many cases, you’ll still be commuting through or around Phoenix, so keep distance from work in mind when you make your choice.
Ultimately, you’ll need to do plenty of browsing to find your next place to live, but hopefully this guide can help you narrow your options from the start. Happy apartment hunting, and welcome to Phoenix!
