Salary Needed to Live in Tempe as a Single
A single adult living independently needs approximately $65,467/year to live comfortably in Tempe, AZ, including 10% savings.
Direct Answer
A single person needs about $65,467/year to live comfortably in Tempe, AZ. The bare-minimum salary is $56,499/year, but the comfortable figure includes a 10% savings target and a monthly after-tax budget of $3,880.
The minimum scenario leaves about $3,437/mo after tax and no planned savings. The comfortable scenario uses $5,456/mo gross pay to cover expenses, taxes, and a savings buffer.
Hybrid salary estimateBLS, HUD, ACS inputsLast verified May 2026
Comfortable Salary
$65,467
with 10% savings
Bare Minimum
$56,499
$4,708/mo gross, no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$3,437
3% below national avg
Detailed Monthly Budget for a Single in Tempe
| Expense | Tempe | Nat'l Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1BR Rent | $1,220 | $1,351 | -10% |
| Groceries | $219 | $207 | +6% |
| Utilities | $149 | $169 | -12% |
| Transportation | $347 | $316 | +10% |
| Car Insurance | $157 | $215 | -27% |
| Health Insurance | $674 | $642 | +5% |
| Internet | $68 | $65 | +5% |
| Phone | $88 | $85 | +4% |
| Dining & Social | $312 | $300 | +4% |
| Entertainment | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Personal Care | $78 | $75 | +4% |
| Total Monthly | $3,437 | $3,545 | -3% |
How We Calculated the Salary
Monthly expenses:$3,437
Target savings (10%):$443/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,880
Effective tax rate:27%
Gross annual salary needed:$65,467
What Drives the Salary Number?
Housing
$1,220
Studio/1BR rent is 35% of this monthly budget.
Taxes
27%
Estimated federal plus AZ state tax reserve used to convert take-home needs into gross salary.
Savings target
10%
$443/mo is reserved for savings so the salary is not just break-even.
Local index
104/100
Tempe is close to the national baseline; the model adjusts baseline spending by local rent and cost data.
Compare Salary Needed in Nearby west Cities
Salary Planning Checklist
- Keep studio/1br housing near $1,220/mo or adjust the salary target upward.
- Budget $671/mo for persona-specific costs such as Internet and Phone.
- Use $56,499/year as the survival floor and $65,467/year as the healthier negotiation target.
Other Household Types in Tempe
Related Pages
FAQ
What salary does a single person need in Tempe?
A single person needs approximately $65,467/year ($5,456/month gross) to live comfortably in Tempe with a 10% savings rate.
How much is rent for a single person in Tempe?
A studio/1br in Tempe costs approximately $1,220/month, which is the largest single expense at 35% of the total budget.
Is Tempe affordable for a single person?
Tempe is roughly average for single person costs, requiring a salary close to the national median.