ZIP Code 85281 — Tempe, AZ Home Prices (2026)
The typical home in ZIP 85281 (Tempe, Arizona) is worth about $397,000 at roughly $351 per square foot — 15% more affordable than the Tempe median and 35% more expensive than the typical U.S. home.
How 85281 compares
ZIP 85281 is one of the more affordable ZIP codes in Tempe: its typical home value of $397,000 ranks #5 of the 5 Tempe ZIP codes we track (the citywide range runs from $397,000 in 85281 to $716,000 in 85284). Per square foot it costs about $351, against $322 for Tempe as a whole, $249 for Arizona, and $195 nationally.
| Area | Typical value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| ZIP 85281 | $397,000 | $351 |
| Tempe, AZ | $465,000 | $322 |
| Arizona | $393,000 | $249 |
| United States | $294,000 | $195 |
Home value by size in 85281
Using this ZIP’s rate of about $351 per square foot. Condition, lot, and the exact street move these meaningfully — use the estimator below for a home-specific figure.
| Home size | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $351,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $526,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $702,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $877,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft | $1,053,000 |
Salary needed to buy a home in ZIP 85281
To buy the typical $397,000 home in ZIP 85281 with 20% down, you need a household income of roughly $108,000 a year (about $2,520 a month for the mortgage, taxes, and insurance). With 10% down the bar rises to about $128,000, because the loan is bigger and mortgage insurance kicks in.
| Down payment | Cash down | Monthly payment | Income needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% (+PMI) | $19,900 | $3,130/mo | $134,000/yr |
| 10% (+PMI) | $39,700 | $2,990/mo | $128,000/yr |
| 20% | $79,400 | $2,520/mo | $108,000/yr |
Assumes a 30-year fixed mortgage at 6.5%, property tax at 1.1% and insurance at 0.45% of value per year, PMI of 0.75% on loans with less than 20% down, and the standard 28% housing-to-income rule. Your rate, taxes, and HOA will move these — run your own numbers in the mortgage calculator.
What your budget buys in ZIP 85281
At about $351 per square foot, here is roughly how much home different budgets get you in ZIP 85281:
| Budget | Approx. size | What that looks like locally |
|---|---|---|
| $200k | 570 sq ft | below the local median — condos, smaller or older homes |
| $250k | 710 sq ft | below the local median — condos, smaller or older homes |
| $300k | 850 sq ft | below the local median — condos, smaller or older homes |
| $400k | 1140 sq ft | around the typical home here |
| $500k | 1420 sq ft | around the typical home here |
Wondering where that budget goes further? The relocation calculator ranks hundreds of U.S. cities by what the same money buys — it opens pre-filled with a typical 85281 home.
Estimate a specific home in 85281
The estimator below is pre-set to ZIP 85281 — pick your home’s size for an instant ballpark, then open the full calculator to adjust beds, baths, and condition.
All Tempe ZIP codes by home value
Where 85281 sits among Tempe’s 5 ZIP codes:
| # | ZIP code | Typical value | $ / sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85284 | $716,000 | $322 |
| 2 | 85288 | $650,000 | $342 |
| 3 | 85282 | $465,000 | $288 |
| 4 | 85283 | $453,000 | $304 |
| 5 | 85281 (this page) | $397,000 | $351 |
ZIP 85281 home prices: frequently asked
What is the average home price in ZIP code 85281? +
What is the price per square foot in 85281? +
What salary do you need to buy a house in ZIP 85281? +
Is 85281 an expensive ZIP code? +
See the full Tempe home values page, all Arizona cities, or price per square foot by ZIP code nationwide.
Directional estimates from public market data (Realtor.com & Zillow research), not appraisals. A single ZIP contains very different homes; actual values vary and change over time.