Arizona renters might finally be getting a breather.
A new Zumper analysis suggests apartment rents across the Phoenix area and the rest of the state are starting to drop in several spots, though high-end neighborhoods are still expensive.
Numbers
The newest Zumper Phoenix Metro Report puts the median statewide rent for a one-bedroom at $1,228 for last month.
They looked at active listings to find the most expensive and cheapest markets, plus areas where prices are falling fastest.
If you want to live in Fountain Hills, you’re going to pay for it. It’s currently the priciest spot in the state for a one-bedroom, with median rents hitting $1,980. Scottsdale is next at $1,700, and Flagstaff is third at $1,640.
At the other end, Glendale is the most affordable place on the list right now, with one-bedrooms going for a median of $1,070. Bullhead City isn’t far behind at $1,080, and Casa Grande is third cheapest at $1,110.
Trend
What’s interesting is how much prices have dropped through the past year. It looks like the era of non-stop, rapid rent hikes in Arizona might finally be slowing down.
Fountain Hills saw the biggest drop over the last year, with rents down 10% from 2025. Goodyear followed with a 9.3% dip, and Glendale prices fell by 7.8% compared with last year.
There is a similar cooling effect month-to-month. Prescott had the biggest one-month drop at 6.2%. Tempe rents went down by 3.7%, and Flagstaff saw a 3.5% decrease from the month before.
Zumper pulled this data from listings that went live last month, grouping everything by city to determine the middle-of-the-road asking price for the region.
Statewide
Looking at the state as a whole, RentCafe puts the average monthly payment somewhere between $1,575 and $2,000.
Prices change depending on where you are: studios go for about $1,080, one-bedrooms average $1,322, and two-bedrooms run around $1,606.
If you really want to save money, Pinal County is still the budget-friendly choice, with monthly rents averaging around $1,200.
HB 2682
Arizona is generally considered a “landlord-friendly” state, meaning there are no statewide rent control laws, offering flexibility for property owners.
But there is a bipartisan bill moving through the Arizona Legislature that would create a new $5 million emergency rental assistance program for families facing short-term financial hardship.
Under Arizona House Bill 2682, the Arizona Department of Economic Security would provide eligible renters with up to two months of rental assistance, capped at $5,000, using state funding allocated for fiscal year 2027. The program is designed for households with children under 18 experiencing unexpected financial crises.
To qualify, tenants would need to demonstrate they can resume paying rent after receiving assistance, have lived in their rental unit for at least one year, and be no more than two months behind on payments. Landlords who accept the aid would be barred from evicting tenants for nonpayment during the covered period.
The proposal also requires DES to process applications within five business days to ensure rapid relief.
As of February 2026, the measure had advanced out of the House Commerce Committee on a 7-4 vote. To become law, the bill still has to pass through the Arizona House and Senate.
Matt Loeschman has had two separate stints at Independent Newsmedia. He began as a reporter covering Peoria and later Surprise from 2000-2009. In 2017, he returned to Arizona and INI as the news editor of the Daily News-Sun (now the Phoenix Independent). He previously covered the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League for more than a decade.
Community: During high school football season since 2017, he contributes live postgame radio reports to the AzPreps 365 Friday Night Football Wrapup Show. He supports organizations such as Phoenix Children’s, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley and the American Cancer Society.
Education: The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Journalism-News and Public Affairs.
Random Fact: He can sing and he has been fortunate to meet many famous people during his journalism career including First Lady Hillary Clinton, King of Country Music George Strait and Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. Attended all 4 home games of the 2001 World Series.
Hobbies: Watching and playing a wide variety of sports, including golf, tennis, pickleball and softball. Playing PlayStation 5, working out, shopping and reading.
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