Tempe is a compact, central city between Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler, and it is home to Arizona State University’s Tempe campus. I’ve helped clients buy and sell across the Valley for 23 years. This guide covers how Tempe is laid out, the types of homes you’ll find, school resources, commute options, things to do, popular local restaurants, and a market snapshot with every number sourced.
Lifestyle in Tempe
Tempe covers about 40 square miles of land, and the Census Bureau estimates its population at 190,571 as of July 1, 2025 (U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts). According to the Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 American Community Survey, 42.3% of Tempe housing units are owner-occupied, and the median gross rent is $1,743 (QuickFacts). Its central location is a big part of the appeal: many neighborhoods are a short drive from downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale and the airport.
Housing ranges from condos and townhomes near downtown and Tempe Town Lake to mid-century ranch homes in central Tempe and larger subdivisions in south Tempe. Daily life often revolves around the lake paths, the university’s events calendar, Mill Avenue and neighborhood parks.
Map of Tempe, Arizona
The green outline shows Tempe’s incorporated boundary from the U.S. Census Bureau (TIGERweb Incorporated Places, GEOID 0473000, retrieved October 30, 2026). Boundaries change with annexations; confirm a specific address with the city. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Tempe Neighborhoods and Areas
Locals usually describe Tempe by geography:
- Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue. Mid-rise and high-rise condos, apartments and townhomes near Tempe Town Lake, light rail and the ASU Tempe campus.
- North Tempe. Neighborhoods north of the Salt River near Papago Park and the Scottsdale border, with a mix of single-family homes and townhomes.
- Central Tempe. Established neighborhoods between US-60 and Loop 202 with many single-level mid-century ranch homes, mature trees and larger lots.
- South Tempe. Neighborhoods south of US-60 toward I-10 and Loop 101 and the Chandler border, with mostly single-family subdivisions, some with lakes or greenbelts.
Each area includes many subdivisions with different HOA rules, lot sizes and home ages. Tell me what matters to you, such as single-level living, a pool, light rail access or commute time, and I’ll help you narrow the map.
Schools
Tempe is served by both elementary and high school districts, so one address can be part of two districts. Depending on the address, public schools may be part of:
- Tempe Elementary School District
- Kyrene School District (south Tempe)
- Tempe Union High School District
You can find the district for a specific address with the Maricopa County school district map and the Maricopa County School Superintendent’s district information. The Arizona Department of Education’s AZ School Report Cards site has official data on public district and charter schools. Boundaries and enrollment policies change, so always confirm with the district before you write an offer.
Commute and Getting Around
The Census Bureau reports a mean travel time to work of 20.9 minutes for Tempe residents (2020–2024 ACS, QuickFacts), the shortest of the four East Valley cities covered in these guides. The freeway network around Tempe includes:
- I-10 on the west
- US-60 (Superstition Freeway)
- Loop 101 (Price Freeway) on the east
- Loop 202 on the north
Valley Metro Rail light rail links Tempe with Phoenix and Mesa. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is just west of Tempe.
Airports In and Near Tempe
We did not find an FAA-listed airport inside Tempe city limits. Airports serving Tempe include:
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Public use, owned by the City of Phoenix; the region’s main commercial airport (FAA record via AirNav: PHX; airport website).
- Stellar Airpark (P19), within Chandler city limits. Privately owned by the Stellar Runway Utilizers Association and open to public use; no control tower (FAA record via AirNav: P19).
- Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD), southeast Chandler. Public-use general aviation airport owned by the City of Chandler, with a control tower (FAA record via AirNav: CHD).
- Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), within Mesa city limits. Public-use general aviation airport owned by the City of Mesa, with a control tower (FAA record via AirNav: FFZ).
Airport details come from FAA records (via AirNav) and official airport sites, checked October 30, 2026. Confirm current operations with the airport.
Residential Airparks and Fly-In Communities
We did not find a residential airpark inside Tempe. The nearest fly-in community with private homes is in Chandler:
- Stellar Airpark, Chandler. The airpark’s association describes Stellar as a privately owned, public-use airport “serving adjacent residential homes and businesses,” with three residential communities (Stellar City Airpark, Stellar Estates I and Stellar Estates II) sharing one runway (SRUA – About Stellar Airpark). A 2026 City of Chandler zoning filing for part of Stellar City Air Park says each home there includes a private aircraft hangar with shared taxiway access to the runway (City of Chandler – Stellar City North PAD booklet). Its FAA record shows a 4,417-foot runway (FAA record via AirNav: P19).
Hangar homes and taxiway access come with HOA, association and runway rules, and not every hangar is approved for living space. Check the CC&Rs, association documents and city permits for the specific property before you buy.
Things to Do in Tempe
- Tempe Town Lake. A lake more than 2 miles long, created by damming a portion of the dry Salt River, with paths for walking, jogging and biking and space for electric, wind and human-powered boats. The City of Tempe reports that more than 2.4 million people spend time there each year and more than 40 special events take place at the lake annually (City of Tempe – Tempe Town Lake).
- Lakeside parks and the arts. Since the lake opened in 1999, the city has built the Tempe Center for the Arts, Town Lake Marina, memorials, volleyball courts and a boat beach along its shores (City of Tempe).
- Mill Avenue, Novus Place and Apache Boulevard. Restaurants and shops within walking distance of the ASU Tempe campus (Tempe Tourism – University Eats).
Popular Restaurants in Tempe
These restaurants are drawn from two official tourism sources: Visit Arizona’s “It’s the Weekend, Let’s Eat. Tempe” itinerary from the Arizona Office of Tourism, and Tempe Tourism’s “Celebrate Tempe’s Global Cuisine Scene” and “Spice Trail” guides. Linked names go to the restaurant’s own website.
Pedal Haus Brewery. A brewery and taproom in downtown Tempe (Visit Arizona).- Ghost Ranch. Modern Southwest cuisine in south Tempe (Visit Arizona).
Tampopo Ramen. Japanese ramen on South McClintock Drive (Visit Arizona).
Cafe Lalibela. A family-owned Ethiopian restaurant on West University Drive (Tempe Tourism).
Curry Corner. Pakistani and Indian food on East Apache Boulevard (Tempe Tourism).- Haji-Baba. A Middle Eastern restaurant and grocery on East Apache Boulevard (Tempe Tourism).
Hours, menus and locations change, so check each restaurant’s website before you go. Listing here is not an endorsement or a paid placement.
Tempe Market Snapshot: Greater Phoenix Metro Data
These are the most recent published figures, each with its source and date. Nothing has been estimated. The ARMLS numbers below cover the whole Greater Phoenix metro. They are not Tempe-only figures.
Greater Phoenix metro (ARMLS), September 2026, from the ARMLS STAT report, published October 6, 2026:
| Greater Phoenix metro (ARMLS), September 2026 | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sales price | $450,000 (0.00% vs. September 2025) |
| Average sales price | $586,246 (+1.97% vs. September 2025) |
| Median price per sq. ft., sold listings | $251.50 |
| Sold listings | 5,672 (−6.76% vs. September 2025) |
| New listings | 9,350 (+3.08% vs. September 2025) |
| Active listings (excluding UCB/CCBS) | 25,251 (+4.38% vs. September 2025) |
| Under contract (Pending/UCB/CCBS) | 6,057 (−10.28% vs. September 2025) |
| Months of supply | 4.45 (3.98 in September 2025) |
| Median days on market | 63 (66 in September 2025) |
ARMLS® COPYRIGHT 2026.
Market balance (Greater Phoenix metro). The Cromford Market Index for the whole Greater Phoenix market was 69.9 on October 21, 2026. That is its first reading below 70 since March 12, 2009, and readings under 90 favor buyers (The Cromford Report, Oct 22, 2026). For the monthly period ending October 15, the median sales price per square foot across all areas was $250.34 (The Cromford Report, Oct 16, 2026).
City of Tempe (Census). The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $455,400. That figure comes from the 2020–2024 ACS and is based on owners’ estimates, not closed sales (QuickFacts).
City-specific figures are available on request. Call 602-603-5555.
What this means for you. Across the metro, buyers have more choice and more room to negotiate than they’ve had in years. In Tempe, condos near downtown and single-family homes in south Tempe can follow different trends, so metro averages only tell you so much. Get a home value estimate for your specific address.
What is your Tempe home worth today?
Tempe Real Estate FAQ
What is the median home price in Tempe right now?
ARMLS STAT reports only metro-wide figures: a $450,000 median sales price for September 2026, unchanged from a year earlier. It does not break out Tempe. The Census Bureau’s 2020–2024 median value of owner-occupied homes in Tempe is $455,400, which is based on owner estimates. For current numbers in your neighborhood, ask AZCO Properties for a comparative market analysis.
Which school district serves a Tempe address?
It depends on the address. Most Tempe addresses are served by Tempe Elementary or Kyrene for grades K–8 and by Tempe Union for high school. Check the Maricopa County school district map, confirm with the district, and review official data on AZ School Report Cards from the Arizona Department of Education.
Is Tempe a buyer’s market right now?
Metro-wide data leans toward buyers. The Cromford Market Index for Greater Phoenix was 69.9 on October 21, 2026, and readings below 90 favor buyers. ARMLS showed 4.45 months of supply in September 2026, up from 3.98 a year earlier. Conditions in Tempe vary by price range and area.
How long does it take to sell a home in Tempe?
Across the ARMLS area, the median days on market was 63 in September 2026, compared with 66 a year earlier. Your timeline depends on price, condition and location, and we’ll walk you through local comps before you list.
How can I find out what my Tempe home is worth?
Request a free home value estimate at azcoproperties.com/home-value/ or call AZCO Properties at 602-603-5555. Christian Broadwell, Designated Broker, has 23 years of Arizona experience.
Nearby Communities
Comparing areas? See our guides to nearby communities:
Ready to Make a Move in Tempe?
Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up, relocating to Arizona or selling a home you’ve owned for years, I’ll give you clear answers backed by real data. Get your free home value estimate or call 602-603-5555 to talk with AZCO Properties.
Helpful AZCO Properties Resources
AZCO Properties | Christian Broadwell, Designated Broker | 4012 E Thistle Landing Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85044 | 602-603-5555. AZCO Properties supports the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Equal Housing Opportunity. Market data is provided for general information only and is not a guarantee of value; ARMLS® COPYRIGHT 2026. School information is not guaranteed; verify boundaries and enrollment with the school district.