True Cost of Renting in Mesa

Mesa is Arizona's third-largest city and one of the most affordable Phoenix suburbs with direct Light Rail access to Downtown Phoenix and Tempe. The city's aerospace and defense manufacturing cluster (Boeing, Textron, Honeywell at Mesa Gateway Airport) provides stable employment, and SRP electric service across most of Mesa offers a meaningful cost advantage over APS-served areas.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Downtown Mesa / Main Street

Studio:
$1,100/mo
1 Bed:
$1,400/mo
2 Bed:
$1,900/mo

Revitalized historic downtown with light rail terminus at Main Street and Center; independent restaurants and arts venues. Mix of renovated historic buildings and new apartment developments. SRP electric — summer bills manageable at $100–150/mo in newer buildings.

Mesa Riverview / Northwest Mesa

Studio:
$1,200/mo
1 Bed:
$1,500/mo
2 Bed:
$2,000/mo

Newer development near the 202 freeway and Riverview Park; big-box retail mixed with new apartment complexes. Car-dependent but efficient freeway access to I-10 and Loop 101. SRP electric with lower rates than APS.

East Mesa / Gilbert border

1 Bed:
$1,600/mo
2 Bed:
$2,200/mo

Suburban communities near the Gilbert border along Ellsworth Road; newer construction with family-oriented amenities. Quiet residential character. Car-dependent for most errands.

Utility Providers

Electric
Salt River Project (SRP)
Water
City of Mesa Utilities
Internet
Cox Communications, CenturyLink/Lumen, T-Mobile Home Internet

Commute & Transportation

Mesa's Light Rail (end of line at Main/Center) connects to Tempe (10 min) and Downtown Phoenix (30 min) without a car. The 202 (Red Mountain) and 60 (Superstition) freeways provide east-west highway access. Mesa Gateway Airport (formerly Williams AFB) hosts Boeing's largest training operation, Textron Aviation, and Honeywell aerospace, employing thousands. The Falcon Field area in northeast Mesa houses additional aerospace and light manufacturing.

Rental Market Overview

Mesa offers the best value among Phoenix Light Rail-connected suburbs. SRP electric rates apply across the city and average 10–15% lower than APS for comparable usage, providing a meaningful cost advantage. New apartment supply along the 202 corridor has kept vacancy rates moderate. The aerospace employment base at Gateway provides stable demand from skilled manufacturing workers. Downtown Mesa's revitalization has attracted arts and restaurant investment that's raising walkability without yet raising rents to Scottsdale or Tempe levels. Arizona has no state-level rent control, so increases are set at market rate with standard 30-day notice. Renters insurance averages $14–18/month.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Mesa

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Mesa: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Mesa?
One-bedroom apartments in Mesa range from $1,400/month in Downtown Mesa / Main Street to $1,600/month in East Mesa / Gilbert border. Two-bedroom units range from $1,900 to $2,200/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Mesa?
In Mesa, electricity is provided by Salt River Project (SRP), water by City of Mesa Utilities, and common internet providers include Cox Communications, CenturyLink/Lumen, T-Mobile Home Internet. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Mesa.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Mesa?
Downtown Mesa / Main Street is the most affordable of the 3 Mesa neighborhoods covered here, at $1,400/month for a one-bedroom — $200 less than East Mesa / Gilbert border, roughly a 13% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Mesa expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Mesa runs about $1,500/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Mesa offers the best value among Phoenix Light Rail-connected suburbs. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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