Your complete guide to the 85282 zip code area: homes, neighborhoods, schools, and community insights.
ZIP code 85282 is located in Tempe, Maricopa County, Arizona. The median home price in this area is approximately $420K with a median household age of 32. The 85282 zip code covers central-south Tempe, a well-established residential area that balances proximity to ASU with a quieter neighborhood feel.
The 85282 zip code covers central-south Tempe, a well-established residential area that balances proximity to ASU with a quieter neighborhood feel. Southern Avenue and Rural Road are the main commercial corridors with restaurants, groceries, and local shops. Homes are mostly from the 1960s and 1970s with block construction and irrigated lots that allow for lush landscaping unusual in the desert. Kiwanis Park is a major amenity with a lake, recreation center, tennis courts, and the beloved wave pool. The Tempe Public Library on Rural is one of the best in the Valley. Bus routes and the light rail extension keep things connected. Tempe Elementary and Tempe Union schools serve the area. It is livable, affordable, and genuinely charming.
The 85282 zip code falls within Tempe in Maricopa County, covering a population of approximately 45,000 residents. The median age of 32 reflects a younger, more transient population base that may include students, young professionals, and young families.
Housing in 85282 spans a median home price of $420K, with median rental rates sitting at $1,350 per month. Rental rates are in line with the broader Tempe market, making the area competitive for tenants and attractive for investors seeking reasonable cap rates. School-age families in 85282 are primarily served by Tempe Elementary School District (rated B+) and Tempe Union High School District (rated A), which includes at least one A-rated system that draws families from across the region.
ZIP 85282 trades at $420K median and $191 per square foot - below Tempe's $200 city average, which flags this as a value zone within the city where your dollar stretches further. At 24 days on market, properties here do not linger - if you see something you want, your window to act is measured in days, not weeks.
The rent-versus-buy math in 85282 is worth examining. At $1,350 monthly rent and a 3.9% annual rent-to-price ratio, the ownership cost runs higher than renting, which is typical for appreciating markets where buyers are paying for future equity growth rather than immediate cash flow savings. The median age of 32 in this zip skews young, meaning higher turnover and more inventory cycling through the market - good for buyers who want options.
This guide draws on ARMLS market data, local reporting, and Venture REI's direct experience across 85282. Frank Vazquez has personally closed over 2,400 transactions in the Valley and is available for honest conversations about the market here.
Questions about buying or selling in 85282? Frank Vazquez at Venture REI: straightforward answers, no strings attached.