Phoenix is hot. And not just the surface-of-Mercury-in-July kind of hot—its real estate market is heating up too. With rising rents and housing prices that make you question your life choices, finding an affordable place to live in the Valley of the Sun is becoming a full-time job. Fortunately, several affordable Phoenix suburbs still offer reasonable rent, more space, and fewer parking nightmares than downtown.
If you’re looking for a home where the rent won’t break you before the A/C bill does, here’s where to start.
Phoenix’s housing market at a glance
Phoenix’s cost of living remains lower than some other large cities, but housing prices have been climbing. Luckily, several nearby suburbs provide more affordable options, offering extra space and a quick commute to the city’s top attractions. Before we explore the best seven of the most affordable Phoenix suburbs for renters in 2025, let’s take a look at Phoenix’s current housing market.
| Average 1-bedroom rent in Phoenix | $1,371 |
| Average 2-bedroom rent in Phoenix | $1,597 |
| Median home price in Phoenix | $460,000 |
1. Coolidge
A place where you can live near ancient ruins and still pay less in rent than people who live near a gas station.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,120
- Distance from Phoenix: 56 miles southeast
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 60 minutes
At $1,120 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Coolidge is the kind of place where you can actually afford to live without selling plasma on the side. It’s home to the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, which lets you admire ancient Hohokam structures and wonder how they were built better than most modern developers. The Coolidge Historical Museum preserves the town’s small-but-fascinating past, while San Carlos Park has open space for when temperatures are only in the high double digits. Housing here is a healthy mix of budget-friendly apartments and single-family homes with monthly rents that actually make sense.
2. Casa Grande
A town where history buffs and people who just really love outlet malls somehow peacefully coexist.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,156
- Distance from Phoenix: 48 miles southeast
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 50 minutes
Coming in with an average monthly rent of $1,156, Casa Grande is the second affordable Phoenix suburb on the list. The town is famous for the Casa Grande Ruins, a preserved Hohokam village that’s older than anything in your history textbooks. The Museum of Casa Grande gives you a deep dive into the region’s past, while the Pinal County Fairgrounds hosts enough local events to make you feel like you live in a real community.
3. Maricopa
A city where your weekend plans can range from high-stakes poker at the casino to marveling at tiny, handcrafted cars at the Dwarf Car Museum.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,156
- Distance from Phoenix: 35 miles south
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 40 minutes
At $1,156 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Maricopa is a town where you can rent a place, pay your bills, and still have money left over for a casino night. Speaking of which, Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino is one of the big draws here. The Copper Sky Recreation Complex is equipped with sports fields, a lake, and a stellar community center. And if you like cars that look like something out of a Pixar movie, the Dwarf Car Museum showcases tiny, handmade vehicles that you didn’t know you needed to see.
4. Cave Creek
A town where your neighbors might be artists, cowboys, or people who moved here just to say they live in a place called Cave Creek.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,199
- Distance from Phoenix: 33 miles north
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 40 minutes
At $1,199 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Cave Creek is where you move when you want to live in the desert without feeling like you’re in exile. Cave Creek Museum houses artifacts that make you realize how much tougher people used to be. Cave Creek Regional Park provides hiking, camping, and horseback riding, which are great if you like your nature with a side of sweat. Housing in Cave Creek includes apartments, townhomes, and ranch-style houses that make you feel like an old-school cowboy—minus the cattle.
5. Glendale
A suburb where you can watch an NFL game, browse antique shops, and pretend your rent isn’t significantly cheaper than downtown Phoenix.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,199
- Distance from Phoenix: 10 miles northwest
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 15 minutes
With an average rent of $1,199 per month for a 1-bedroom, Glendale is a sweet spot to settle down. The suburb is home to State Farm Stadium, meaning you’re just minutes away from NFL games, concerts, and whatever else they decide to cram into that giant arena. Westgate Entertainment District has plenty of shopping, dining, and bars, while Historic Downtown Glendale has antique shops and charming boutiques that make you think about starting up your own collection
6. Litchfield Park
A place where you can sip cocktails at a luxury resort, feed a giraffe, and still somehow be home in time to make dinner.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,274
- Distance from Phoenix: 20 miles west
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 25 minutes
At $1,274 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Litchfield Park is where you move when you want a quiet, scenic place that still has things to do. The Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park brings exotic animals right to your backyard—well, not literally, but close enough. The Wigwam Resort is great for golf, spa services, and a little taste of luxury. Housing in Litchfield Park ranges from sizable apartments to cool condos, to homes with monthly rates that actually make sense.
7. Mesa
A city with so many museums, parks, and outdoor adventures that you might forget it’s technically still part of the greater Phoenix sprawl.
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,344
- Distance from Phoenix: 20 miles east
- Drive time to Phoenix: About 25 minutes
Wrapping up the list at $1,344 per month on average for a 1-bedroom, Mesa is on the pricier side of “affordable,” but it makes up for it with things to do. The Mesa Arts Center is the largest arts venue in Arizona, hosting live performances, exhibits, and enough events to make you feel like a sophisticated adult. The Arizona Museum of Natural History reminds you that this land used to belong to dinosaurs, while Usery Mountain Regional Park is great for hiking and desert views that make you want to take up photography.
Find the affordable Phoenix suburb for you
Finding affordable Phoenix suburbs isn’t impossible—it’s just a matter of deciding what matters most. If you want the lowest rent possible, Coolidge is your best bet. If you’re looking for a quiet desert town with a little character, Cave Creek and Litchfield Park should be on your list. And if you want an actual entertainment scene without Phoenix prices, Glendale and Mesa have you covered.
No matter where you end up, these suburbs offer cheaper rent, more space, and at least a fighting chance of affording your A/C bill when summer rolls around.
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one-bedroom rent was less than Phoenix’s average rent and under 60 miles from downtown Phoenix. Average rental data from Phoenix rental market trends in February, 2025. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
