Tempe sits just southeast of Phoenix and is best known as the home of Arizona State University, one of the largest public universities in the country. This gives the city a lively, youthful character with busy commercial districts, dense housing areas, and vibrant nightlife. Beyond the university, Tempe is a major employment hub with corporate offices, research centers, and technology companies. Tempe’s housing is a mix of older single-family neighborhoods, modern apartment complexes, student housing, and new infill developments. Many mid-century homes in Tempe have been renovated to meet modern tastes, creating charming pockets of established residential areas. The city is almost entirely urban and suburban, with little rural land remaining. Existing home prices typically range from $450,000 to $600,000, and new construction costs roughly $200–$260 per square foot, putting a new 2,000-square-foot home between $400,000 and $520,000 before land. Tempe is only 10–15 minutes from Phoenix and borders Scottsdale, Mesa, and Chandler, making it one of the most centrally located cities in the region. Its combination of university energy, employment opportunities, and central positioning keeps demand high.