Smart Movers Club

    Moving to Tempe, AZ

    Is Tempe a good place to live?

    Watch Tempe

    Tempe ranks #16 of 38 Arizona cities with 25,000+ people on the Smart Movers livability score (53/100), which weighs home affordability, unemployment, education and population growth. Population grew 3.0% in the latest Census year.

    Median home value
    $421,900
    +10.4% vs prior year
    Median rent
    $1,623
    per month
    Household income
    $77,643
    median
    Unemployment
    5.6%
    lower is better

    Cost of living in Tempe

    The median home value in Tempe is $421,900 and median rent is $1,623 a month, against a median household income of $77,643. Homes cost about 5.4× a year of income (under 3× is considered affordable).

    Tempe crime rate

    City-level FBI figures vary by agency; across Arizona the 2025 rate was 383 violent and 1,541 property crimes per 100,000 people — #20 highest of 50 states. The full report breaks down local trends.

    Moving to Tempe, AZ

    Tempe has about 186,419 residents, 5.6% unemployment and 29% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher.

    Compare Tempe with

    Tempe vs PhoenixTempe vs TucsonTempe vs MesaTempe vs ChandlerTempe vs GilbertTempe vs GlendaleTempe vs ScottsdaleTempe vs Peoria

    More: Where to move in Arizona · Best counties in Arizona

    Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates (2023, compared with 2022); FBI Crime Data Explorer.

    Home listings, local news, migration, schools, resources and the Smart Movers Grade & Verdict.

    See the full Smart Movers Club report