Livability Score

78
/100
i The AreaVibes Livability Score evaluates 9 different categories and creates an overall score out of 100. The higher the score, the better the area.

amenities A+

There are lots of amenities close to this location.
Coffee (44) A+
Entertainment (29) A+
Food and Drink (207) A+
Fitness (31) A+
Groceries (28) C-
Parks (357) A+
Shops (310) A+
See more Tempe amenity data

commute A+

Of all people who commute, 4.0% take public transportation in Tempe.
Public Transit Stops (389)
Stops & Stations
A+
Workers Taking Public Transit
4.0%
D
See more Tempe commute data

cost of living B-

The cost of living in Tempe is 112/100 - which is 11% higher than Arizona.
Cost of Living
Goods & Services, Housing, etc.
D+
Tax Rates
Income & Sales Tax
C+
See more Tempe cost of living data

crime F

Tempe crime rates are 4,919 per 100k, which is 98% higher than Arizona
Property Crime
4,334 crimes per 100k
F
Violent Crime
584 crimes per 100k
F
See more Tempe crime data

employment B-

The median income in Tempe is $61,290 - which is 19% higher than Arizona.
Med. Household Income
$61,290
C-
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
D
See more Tempe employment data

health D

There are many hospitals, police and fire stations.
Health & Safety (122)
Dentist, Doctor, Hospital, etc.
A+
Air Quality
Median Air Quality
F
See more Tempe health & safety data

housing A+

Tempe home prices are $287,600 - which is 63% higher than Arizona
Home Price
$287,600
A+
Home Appreciation Rate
24%
A+
Home Affordability
4.7x (home price to income ratio)
F
See more Tempe housing data

schools C-

The Tempe graduation rate is 89% - which is 8% higher than Arizona
School Test Scores
43%
F
High School Grad. Rates
89%
B+
Elementary Schools (53) F
High Schools (29) F
See more Tempe education data

ratings B+

Tempe has an overall rating of 76% from 24 reviews.
User Reviews (2)
From AreaVibes
A
User Surveys (22)
From AreaVibes
C+
See more Tempe user rating data
Amenities Commute Cost of Living Crime Employment Health & Safety Housing Schools User Ratings
Photo of Tempe, AZ
( 24 Ratings )

Living in Tempe, AZ

Tempe Area Facts

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Tempe Reviews

Write a review about Tempe Tell people what you like or don't like about Tempe…
Cute town! 4 rating By AZ4life ( Mar 30, 2016) I lived here back in 2006, back then I think we lived in a bad area of Tempe. Believe it was off Hardy Dr. South at the Standard Apartments, not the best but it worked. Bunch of drug dealers were always around my complex and behind, but not sure if it has changed since then. Bunc ...Read More h of food places and the mall was walking distance.... Read Less
Tempe, AZ - Not Just a College Town 4 rating By Anonymous ( May 06, 2010) Many of my friends attended Arizona State University, so I've visited Tempe many times. The last time I was in Tempe was August 2009, and I always enjoy visiting the city, even in the Arizona heat. While Tempe often gets dismissed as a "college town", the city itself is much more ...Read More than that. It is one of the best parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area. The new Valley Metro Light Rail system connects Tempe with downtown Phoenix, so you can get there without a car, and Tempe, due to its large student population, is dense and easily walkable. Tempe doesn't have many major attractions other than the Arizona State campus, unfortunately, but it's a great place for shopping, eating inexpensive food at various restaurants, and relaxing.

The shopping in Tempe is great. There are many unique stores, bookshops and cafes along Mill Avenue near campus, and the outdoor Tempe Marketplace is an ideal place to cool off after a hot Arizona day. Tempe is also home to Arizona's only IKEA, if you want to buy bookshelves and eat Swedish meatballs for lunch. Read Less
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Compare Tempe, AZ Livability

      vs

      Tempe, AZ

      Tempe, Arizona, named for its rugged grandeur, is one of Phoenix's most popular suburbs. Hitting the real estate jackpot, it occupies the coveted sweet spot perfectly located between Scottsdale, Chandler, Mesa, and Phoenix. It's a small town of under 200,000 with a big-city feel thanks to the massive Phoenix Metro urban sprawl that surrounds it. Widely known for being home to Arizona State University, its 40 square miles is also packed with museums, eateries, breweries, parks, malls, sports venues, big-name corporate headquarters, the lake, and performing arts centers, including the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Gammage auditorium. Oh, and a place where you can pay to smash stuff.

      If a densely populated urban vibe with a vibrant night scene is appealing, look to north Tempe to live and play. Newly developed apartments, condos, and corporate campuses set the scene, with restaurants, bars, kitschy boutiques, and mainstream retailers peppered in the mix. As you travel south, the vertical urban lifestyle gradually shortens and spreads outward into less-densely populated neighborhoods filled with single-family homes and large lots with sprawling custom builds. Business and industry still thrive, but with a more rural, quieter vibe. Where north Tempe buzzes, south Tempe hums.

      Want some cost of living data? Tempe averages out to just that: very average. It swings a few percentage points higher or lower than both state and national averages in all categories. Housing makes the overall cost of living a bit higher than both state and national averages. Both median monthly rents and house prices are slightly higher. The income per capita in Tempe is split, going higher than the Arizona average but lower than national. The median household income is consistently a few points lower than both the state and national averages. As far as unemployment in Tempe, that number happily tends to stay low and well under the national average. Fun fact: it is the only city in Arizona where there are regularly more jobs than residents.

      Tempe's public transportation game is strong. Both bus and light rail offer a substantial number of times, stations, and routes, giving many commuters the ability to use the light rail to get from Tempe to downtown Mesa or Phoenix for work. Then there's Orbit, which is Tempe's neighborhood-serving shuttle. It takes residents to various local destinations, including the many bus and rail stations. And get this - it's free!

      Tempe has experienced rocket growth since its Hohokam settlement days and honors its intriguing history by being the progressive and forward-thinking city that it is today. With all it offers plus its focus on continued economic growth and pioneering sustainability advancements, it's no wonder Tempe has been recognized as a top place to live.

      A+ Amenities

      Are there many local amenities in Tempe? Yes, there are lots of amenities close to this location.

      Parks

      Brickyard Artisan Courtyard
      Hayden Butte Preserve
      Tempe Beach Park
      Palo Verde Beach
      Hayden Lawn
      Marina Heights Courtyard
      Neil G. Giuliano Park
      Desert Arboretum Park

      Entertainment

      Valley Art
      AMC Centerpoint 11
      Sun Devil Stadium
      Nelson Fine Arts Center
      Galvin Playhouse
      Arizona State University Art Museum
      Pillar of Knowledge
      Desert Financial Arena

      Food & Drink

      Low Key Piano Bar
      The Baked Bear
      Fatburger
      Taco Bell Cantina
      Hippies Cove
      Cherry Lounge & Pit
      CASA
      Mill Cue Club Bar & Billiards

      A+ Commute

      Is public transit available in Tempe? Of all people who commute, 4.0% take public transportation in Tempe.
      Drive to Work
      68%

      8% lower than the US average

      Take Public Transit
      4%

      1% lower than the US average

      Walk to Work
      5%

      2% higher than the US average

      A+ Health & Safety

      Is Tempe a healthy and safe place to live? Yes, there are many hospitals, police and fire stations.

      Hospitals

      Corebella Addiction Treatment & Suboxone Clinic
      Aurora East
      Tempe St. Luke Hospital
      Emergency Room at Arizona General Hospital
      Laser Surgery Center

      Pharmacies

      CVS Pharmacy
      CVS Pharmacy
      Bashas' Pharmacy
      Safeway
      Walgreens
      CVS Pharmacy
      Walgreens
      Walgreens

      Doctors

      HonorHealth Medical Group - South Tempe - Primary Care
      The Little Clinic
      FastMed Urgent Care