Overview of Findings
Apartment List has released Tempe’s results from the third annual Apartment List Renter Satisfaction Survey. This survey, which drew on responses from over 45,000 renters, provides insight on what states and cities must do to meet the needs of 111 million American renters nationwide.
"Tempe renters expressed general satisfaction with the city overall," according to Apartment List. "They gave most categories above average scores."
Key findings in Tempe include the following:
- Tempe renters gave their city an A- overall.
- The highest-rated categories were recreational activities (A+), jobs and career opportunities (A), public transit (A) and social life (A).
- The areas of concern to Tempe renters are safety and crime rate, state and local taxes, quality of local schools and affordability, which all received B grades.
- Millennial renters are moderately satisfied with their city, giving it an overall rating of B.
- Tempe did relatively well compared to other cities in Arizona, including Phoenix (B-), Tucson (D) and Mesa (C+).
- Tempe did relatively well compared to similar cities nationwide, including Portland, OR (B), Los Angeles, CA (C+) and New York, NY (C+).
- The top rated cities nationwide for renter satisfaction include Scottsdale, AZ, Irvine, CA, Boulder, CO and Ann Arbor, MI. The lowest rated cities include Tallahassee, FL, Stockton, CA, Dayton, OH, Detroit, MI and Newark, NJ.
Renters say:
- "I love the cost of living in Tempe and how close it is to all the shopping I need. I wish it was closer to Phoenix, where a lot of the jobs are." – Laura H.
- "Tempe is full of young people with energy and positive mental attitudes. Shopping is good. But buses are scarce and a lot of landlords take advantage of the student population with high rent and poor maintenance." – Margo S.
- "I love that it’s busy but not overwhelming." – Alexandra M.
- "It’s a little too hot in the summer, but the weather is great the rest of the year. Public transportation is excellent with a free bus system and a light rail that extends through most of the city." – Walter J.
For more information on the survey methodology and findings or to speak to one of our researchers, please contact our team at rentonomics@apartmentlist.com.