Moving to Tempe, AZ: Tempe Homes for Sale and Local Guide

Tempe is a compact city in the center of the Phoenix area, between Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler, and home to Arizona State University's main campus. Tempe homes for sale range from historic bungalows and 1950s ranch homes near downtown to lake homes in The Lakes and newer condos around Tempe Town Lake.

I'm Terry Day with DeLex Realty. Tempe packs a lot into about 40 square miles: a university, a downtown lake, light rail and a streetcar, two big employment hubs and quiet south Tempe neighborhoods. Where you buy in Tempe changes almost everything about daily life, so here is how I walk buyers and sellers through it.

See Tempe homes for sale Call Terry: 602-483-4665

Where Tempe is

Tempe sits in the middle of the Valley. Mesa is to the east, Scottsdale and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are to the north, Phoenix and the Town of Guadalupe are to the west, and Chandler is to the south. I-10 runs along the west side, US 60 crosses the middle, Loop 101 runs along the east side and Loop 202 runs along the north. Sky Harbor Airport is only about 4 miles away. Tempe reached its current boundaries through annexation by 1974 and is surrounded by other cities and tribal land, so new homes here come from infill and redevelopment.

A short history

Charles Trumbull Hayden settled west of Tempe Butte in 1870 and built a store, a flour mill and a ferry across the Salt River, and the settlement became known as Hayden's Ferry. In 1879 it was renamed Tempe, a name credited to Darrell Duppa. In 1885 the territorial legislature picked Tempe for the Territorial Normal School, which became Arizona State University in 1958. Tempe incorporated in 1894, according to the city's history museum.

Main areas and neighborhoods

• Downtown and Mill Avenue: the city's oldest core, next to ASU and Tempe Town Lake, with condos, lofts and high-rises. See my downtown Tempe condos and lofts page.
• Historic neighborhoods near downtown: bungalows from the 1910s to 1930s line parts of South Ash Avenue. Borden Homes, built from 1947 to 1959, has small brick and block ranch homes on flood-irrigated lots.
• Date Palm Manor: Tempe's first custom postwar subdivision, built mostly from 1953 to 1962 in Modern Ranch style and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
• Other named neighborhoods on the city's neighborhood map include Maple Ash, Mitchell Park, Tempe Gardens, Palmcroft Manor, University Heights, Hudson Manor and Broadmor.
• The Lakes: a south Tempe waterfront neighborhood with private docks, built in the 1970s, with homes and condos along the water.
• South Tempe: neighborhoods such as Warner Ranch, farther from the ASU campus.

Types of homes

Resale single-family homes are the core of the Tempe market, from postwar ranch homes and older bungalows near downtown to neighborhoods like The Lakes and Warner Ranch in south Tempe. Around ASU and Town Lake you will find condos, townhomes and newer mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Brand-new homes are mostly infill projects; see my Tempe new construction page. Tempe niche pages: pool homes · condos · luxury homes ($1M+) · resort-style communities · pickleball communities.

Things to do

• Tempe Town Lake: opened November 7, 1999, about 220 acres and 2 miles long on the Salt River bed, with paths on both shores.
• Tempe Beach Park: built in 1931, the city's oldest park and its main event venue.
• Hayden Butte ("A" Mountain): a short trail with petroglyphs, topped by the "A" that has been there since 1938.
• Papago Park: at Tempe's northwest corner, shared with Phoenix, home of Hole-in-the-Rock.
• Kiwanis Park: 125 acres with a 12-acre lake, a recreation center with a wave pool and a tennis center.
• Sports and shows: Tempe Diablo Stadium (Angels spring training since 1993), Mountain America Stadium for ASU football, ASU Gammage (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, opened 1964) and the Tempe Center for the Arts on Town Lake.
• Shopping and events: Mill Avenue, Tempe Marketplace near Loop 101 and Loop 202, and the Tempe Festival of the Arts each spring and fall.

Schools

The City of Tempe lists three school districts: Tempe Elementary School District, Kyrene School District and Tempe Union High School District. Small parts of the city are served by other districts, such as Scottsdale Unified and Mesa Public Schools. See my Tempe Union district homes page, and confirm school boundaries with the district for any address.

Getting around

Tempe has more transit than most Valley cities. Valley Metro light rail crosses north Tempe and connects to the PHX Sky Train at the 44th Street/Washington station in Phoenix. The Tempe Streetcar opened May 20, 2022, and runs about 3 miles with 14 stops along Mill and Ash avenues between Marina Heights and Dorsey/Apache. The city's free Orbit shuttles run six neighborhood routes every day. Paths along Town Lake and the Salt River make biking practical, too.

Jobs and shopping

ASU topped the city's most recent published list of major employers, followed by State Farm. State Farm's Marina Heights campus, about 2 million square feet on Rio Salado Parkway, sits on Town Lake, and Carvana is headquartered in Tempe. ASU Research Park in south Tempe covers 320 acres with tenants such as Amazon, Honeywell, Texas Instruments and Edward Jones. On Town Lake, the 355-acre Novus Innovation Corridor next to ASU is planned for thousands of homes plus offices and hotels. Shoppers have Tempe Marketplace, Mill Avenue and centers along every main road.

Buying and selling tips

• Utilities: the City of Tempe provides water, sewer and trash. Electric is SRP or APS and gas is Southwest Gas, so confirm providers by address.
• Short-term rentals: rentals under 30 days need a Tempe license for each unit (since March 6, 2023), plus a state tax license, county registration and an emergency contact.
• Older homes: for 1950s to 1970s homes, check the roof, the plumbing, the electrical panel and any flood irrigation rules.
• Historic districts: homes in a designated historic district may need review for exterior changes. Ask the city before you plan big projects.

New to buying here? Start with my first steps to buying a home in Arizona. Selling? My guide to pricing your Arizona home explains how I set a list price.

Questions buyers ask

Where is Tempe?
Tempe is in the center of the Phoenix area, bordered by Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Chandler, about 4 miles from Sky Harbor Airport. I-10, US 60, Loop 101 and Loop 202 all serve the city.

Does Tempe have light rail?
Yes, Valley Metro light rail runs through north Tempe, and the Tempe Streetcar has run along Mill and Ash avenues since May 2022. The city's Orbit shuttles are free.

What kinds of homes are in Tempe?
Mostly resale single-family homes, plus condos and townhomes near ASU and high-rises around Town Lake. Historic bungalows, 1950s ranch homes and lake homes in The Lakes add variety.

Are there new homes in Tempe?
Some, but Tempe is landlocked, so new homes come from infill and redevelopment, such as townhomes and condos near downtown and Town Lake. See my Tempe new construction page.

Browse all Tempe homes for sale, see DeLex Realty listings in Tempe, or compare nearby guides: Scottsdale · Mesa · Chandler · Phoenix.

On some Tempe homes you may also be able to take over the seller's existing FHA or VA loan. See my assumable mortgage guide to learn how that works.

Homes by School in Tempe

Searching by school? Start with these high school area pages:

• McClintock High School area homes
• Corona Del Sol High School area homes
• Marcos De Niza High School area homes
• Tempe High School area homes

See more on my homes by school page.

Tempe: questions people ask

What is the sales tax rate in Tempe, AZ?
The combined retail sales tax rate in Tempe is 8.1%. That is the 5.6% state rate, 0.7% for Maricopa County and Tempe's 1.8% city rate, which has been in place since July 1, 2014. For more on everyday costs, see my Phoenix area cost of living guide.

Is there free public transit in Tempe?
Yes, Tempe's Orbit neighborhood shuttles are free. The Orbit routes (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn) run seven days a week, most about every 15 minutes. The Tempe Streetcar is not free: it has charged a regular Valley Metro fare since August 2025 and runs about 3 miles along Mill and Ash avenues with connections to light rail.

Can you take light rail from Tempe to Sky Harbor Airport?
Yes, you can ride Valley Metro light rail from Tempe to the 44th Street station in Phoenix and transfer to the PHX Sky Train. The Sky Train is free, runs 24 hours a day and stops at Terminals 3 and 4 and the Rental Car Center.

Which school districts serve Tempe?
Tempe is served by three public school districts: Tempe Elementary School District and Kyrene School District for the younger grades, and Tempe Union High School District for high school. The district depends on the address, so confirm boundaries with the district before you buy. You can also search on my homes by school page.

How big is Tempe Town Lake?
Tempe Town Lake covers about 220 surface acres and is about 2 miles long. It opened on November 7, 1999, and it is used for rowing, paddling and events, with paths along both shores.

Comparing cities? See all of my Greater Phoenix city guides. Want to see what's happening in the market? Check my market reports, read the blog, or learn more about me. Ready to talk? Call Terry Day at 602-483-4665.

Browse current homes for sale listed by DeLex Realty agents.

City details come from the City of Tempe, Arizona State University, Valley Metro and other published sources and can change. Confirm school boundaries, utilities and HOA rules for a specific home. Listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.