Cost Of Living In Tempe For Students In 2025

Suppose you’re examining the cost of living in Tempe, you’ll find that this city offers a lively student-town atmosphere (thanks to Arizona State University in Tempe) and a relatively high standard of amenities, though with somewhat elevated costs compared to many U.S. cities. This guide looks at what students, international students, and single individuals might expect in terms of living costs in Tempe for 2025.

The average cost of living in Tempe USA, is higher than the national average: one cost index shows Tempe’s overall cost of living index at about 113 (with 100 being the U.S. average), which means roughly 13% higher than the U.S. average. Housing in particular pushes that number up, with a housing index of around 146 in some reports.

If you’re considering the cost of living in Tempe for a single person, it’s essential to budget carefully; however, it's still quite possible to live within a manageable budget if you plan strategically.

Housing: The Dominant Factor in Cost of Living in Tempe

Housing is the biggest chunk of the cost of living in Tempe budget, especially given its student population and metro-Phoenix location.

Rental Costs

• One-bedroom apartments in the city centre or close to campus areas are often listed for around US $1,900/month (per one listing), and outside of the most central areas, they may be listed for around US $1,750/month.
• Another listing shows average rents: studio, $1,315/month, one-bedroom, $1,445/month, and two-bedroom is around $1,697/month.
• Because of this high base, shared housing or roommates are common among students and international students trying to manage the cost of living in Tempe.
  
  

Home Ownership / Purchase

• Median home values in Tempe are quoted around US$466,000 in one cost-of-living analysis.
  
  
• The high housing costs translate into a high housing index (around 146 in one source) for Tempe compared to the national average.
  
  

Student / International Student Housing Notes

If you’re a student or international student, you’ll often find shared apartments, student housing near or on campus, or dorms, which help reduce your housing expenses. For the cost of living in Tempe for students, sharing a 2 or 3-bedroom unit might bring your rent down to US $700-US $1,000/month, depending on location and roommates.
Because housing is such a key driver, if you find housing a bit further from campus with transit access, you might save on rent but incur higher transportation costs, so trade-offs matter when planning the living costs in Tempe for international students.

Tuition and Educational Expenses

When considering the cost of living in Tempe for students, tuition and other university-related fees are a significant part of the budget (especially for internationals).

Tuition & Fees

• For an institution like Arizona State University in Tempe, in-state tuition might be around US $11,000/year, while out-of-state (including international students) might pay around US $31,000/year (estimates vary).
• Add to that books, supplies, technology, and student fees, which total roughly US $800-US $1,500/year, depending on the program.
  
  

Student Living Cost Considerations

When planning your total student budget, combine tuition + housing + utilities + food + transport + personal expenses. For example, for the Tempe cost of living student, you might add modest housing/shared rent + other living costs to your tuition.

For international students (the living expenses in Tempe for international students), you should factor in perhaps a slightly higher housing cost, health insurance requirement, visa fees, and so their total may be higher than domestic students—but the general living environment is the same.

Daily Living Expenses: Utilities, Groceries & Transportation

Key recurring monthly costs that matter when computing the average living cost in Tempe or the average living cost in Tempe for a single person.

Utilities

• For a standard apartment in Tempe (approx 85 m²), utilities including electricity, heating/cooling, water, and garbage average roughly US $256/month in one dataset.
• Internet monthly might be around US$75 (depending on speed) according to one cost-of-living estimate.
  
  

Groceries and Food

• Grocery prices in Tempe are close to the national average: for example loaf of bread ~ US $4.20, eggs (12) ~ US $4.83 in one dataset.
• Dining out, coffee, and snacks will vary, but students might budget US $300-US $400/month for basic groceries + modest eating out; more if lifestyle is higher.
  Thus, when setting your budget for average living expenses in Tempe, allowing around US $350-US $450/month for food is prudent.
  
  

Transportation

• Public transport pass in Tempe cost US $61/month in one dataset. Gasoline per liter ~ US $0.90 (which equals US $3.40 per gallon) in some sources.
• If you own a car, you’ll need to budget for insurance, parking, and maintenance. If you’re a student relying on transit, you might spend US $50-US $100/month.
  Therefore, when calculating the average cost of living in Tempe for a single person, transportation is a moderate but significant item.

Healthcare & Miscellaneous Costs

This part often gets overlooked, but is important for the Tempe USA cost of living and the budgets of students and international residents.

Healthcare

• Healthcare costs in Tempe are slightly below or close to the national average in some categories (one source: healthcare index, 95 meaning, 5% less than average).
• For students/internationals you’ll likely budget US $100-US $150/month for basic insurance/healthcare costs (varies widely).

Miscellaneous / Leisure / Personal Care

• Gym membership, internet/phone, entertainment, and personal care could add US $100-US $200/month, depending on lifestyle.
• For students, especially, this might be lower; for those living alone and socialising frequently, it may be higher.
  When aiming to estimate the average cost of living in Tempe, ensure you add a buffer for these “other” costs beyond housing/food/transport.

Cost of Living in Tempe for a Single Person

Let’s pull together a sample annual budget for a single person living independently in Tempe, combining major cost categories:

Annual Estimate (Single Person)

• Rent (1-bedroom moderate location): ~ US $1,445/month × 12 = US $17,340/year
• Utilities: - US $250/month × 12 = US $3,000/year
• Groceries & Food: - US $350/month × 12 = US $4,200/year
• Transportation: - US $75/month × 12 = US $900/year
• Healthcare & Insurance: - US $120/month × 12 = US $1,440/year
• Miscellaneous & Leisure: - US $150/month × 12 = US $1,800/year

Total: Roughly US $28,000/year (US $2,300/month) for a moderate single-person lifestyle.

Given various index data, for example, one dataset shows “cost of living in Tempe is $2,448/month. You can see this budget is plausible, though some may spend more depending on housing choice and lifestyle.
Thus, the cost is higher than in many smaller U.S. cities, but still manageable with budgeting.

Cost of Living in Tempe for Students & International Students

Housing & Accommodation

For the cost of living in Tempe for students, housing choices make a big difference. Shared housing, student apartments, or dorms might bring monthly living housing cost down to US $700-US $1,200, depending on roommates and location.
For the living cost in Tempe for international students, you may need to add a bit of buffer for housing that meets international student requirements, deposit, insurance, etc.

Tuition & Fees

Students at ASU may pay around US $11,000/year (in-state) or US $31,000/year+ (out-of-state/international), depending on program. Add to that living costs.
Books and supplies might add US $800-US $1,500/year. When you estimate the cost of living student, you must combine tuition and living expenses.
For international students, estimating US $15,000-US $20,000/year for living expenses (housing + food + transport + misc) is reasonable, then add your tuition for the total budget.

Daily Living and Food

Students might budget US $300-US $400/month on groceries and basic dining. Shared utilities might bring the utility cost down to US $80-US $150/month per person in shared housing.
Transportation for students might rely more on transit or biking, reducing costs. So living costs for a student/international student in Tempe could be around US $12,000-US $18,000/year (for living only) and with tuition added, maybe US $20,000-US $40,000/year, depending on program and lifestyle.

Student/International Budget Summary

• The cost of living in Tempe for students: shared housing, modest lifestyle → estimate around US $12,000-US $18,000/year for living expenses.
• The living cost in Tempe for international students: similar base living cost plus possibly higher tuition/fees → estimate around US $20,000-US $35,000/year, depending on housing and program.
• The general student-friendly nature of Tempe and the presence of ASU mean there are many roommate/shared housing options to help manage the budget.

Neighborhoods, Safety & Lifestyle in Tempe

Tempe has a strong student and young-professional vibe, especially near the ASU campus, Mill Avenue, and downtown Tempe. These areas tend to have higher rent but also better access to amenities, public transit, and nightlife.
Choosing accommodation slightly further from these premium zones may reduce your rent, but you might incur higher transport costs or longer commute, so when assessing the average living cost Tempe, factor this trade-off.
International students should check neighborhoods for safety, transit links, and amenities like grocery stores to ensure they are getting good value in their budget.

Saving Tips for Managing the Cost of Living in Tempe

• Share housing: Having 1-2 roommates can reduce the housing portion of the cost of living in Tempe for students for international students significantly.
• Use public transit or bike: Many student areas are transit-friendly; reducing reliance on car usage helps.
• Shop smart for groceries: Many students report using large stores, discount chains, and cooking at home to reduce food costs.
• Choose slightly less central housing: Living a little further out, but with good transit or bike access, may save hundreds per month, reducing the living cost in Tempe for international students.
• Budget utilities carefully: Summers in Tempe can mean high AC bills; monitoring usage helps reduce overall costs.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the cost of living in Tempe is higher than in many smaller U.S. cities and higher than the U.S. average, largely due to housing. However, it also offers a strong student infrastructure (via ASU), vibrant city life, and plenty of amenities. For a single person, the approximate budget of US $28,000/year (or US $2,300/month) is a realistic estimate for moderate living. For students and international students, with shared housing and smart choices, the average living cost in Tempe can be made manageable within US $12,000-US $18,000/year for living alone, and a fuller budget of US $20,000-US $35,000/year when tuition and fees are added in.

If you’re moving to Tempe for study or life, the key is early housing research, budgeting for the summer utility spike, and considering sharing accommodation as a smart strategy.

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