Apartments in North Phoenix: A Renter's Guide to Areas, Costs, and What to Look For
- Jun 29
- 8 min read
If you're searching for apartments in North Phoenix, you've picked one of the more practical parts of the Valley to rent in. It sits between the energy of central Phoenix and the quieter foothills up north, it's easy to get in and out of by car, and you can usually find more square footage for your money than you'd get closer to downtown or out in Scottsdale. That doesn't mean every listing is a good deal. The range up here is wide, and the gap between a tired older complex and a well-run modern community can be enormous for the same monthly rent.
This guide walks through what North Phoenix is actually like to rent in: the sub-areas, the rough costs, the trade-offs nobody puts in the listing, and how to tell a good apartment from a merely photogenic one. The Landon shows up later as one concrete example, but most of this applies no matter where you end up signing.
Quick answer: North Phoenix is a large, mostly residential stretch north of central Phoenix, roughly framed by the I-17 and the SR-51, running up toward the Deer Valley and Moon Valley foothills. Renters choose it for more space per dollar, easy freeway access, and a calmer pace than the urban core. Expect a broad mix of older garden complexes, mid-range communities, and a smaller number of newer attainable-luxury buildings. Real monthly rents span a wide band, so the area you pick and the building's age matter as much as the floor plan.
Key takeaways
North Phoenix is big and uneven. The same rent buys very different living depending on the sub-area and how recently the building was renovated.
Your real monthly cost is rent plus parking, pet fees, utilities, and any amenity or tech fees. Compare the full number, not the headline rent.
Commute is the quiet dealbreaker. A few blocks can change your freeway access and your morning by 20 minutes.
Newer "loft-style" and townhome layouts trade a slightly higher rent for taller ceilings, in-unit laundry, and better parking. Whether that's worth it depends on how you actually live.
Tour in person, at the time of day you'd normally be home, before you sign anything.
What counts as "North Phoenix"?
North Phoenix is the broad residential band north of the central city, generally north of around Bethany Home or Glendale Avenue and stretching up toward the Deer Valley area. It isn't a single neighborhood. It's a collection of them, and they feel quite different from one another.
A few you'll run into while searching:
Sunnyslope and the 7th Street / 7th Avenue corridors. Older, established, more walkable in spots, with a mix of vintage complexes and newer infill.
Moon Valley and the foothills. Quieter and more residential, with mountain views and easy access to hiking and golf.
The I-17 corridor and Metrocenter area. Central, freeway-close, and convenient for commuters, with a heavy mix of apartment communities at every price point.
Deer Valley. Further north, close to a large employment corridor, popular with people who work up that way and want a short drive.
Knowing which pocket a listing sits in tells you more than the photos do. A "North Phoenix apartment" on 23rd Avenue near the I-17 is a different daily life than one tucked into Moon Valley.
What it costs to rent in North Phoenix
Rents here cover a wide range, and anyone who quotes you a single number is guessing. As a rough planning band for the area, studios and smaller one-bedrooms often start in the low-to-mid $1,000s, updated one-bedrooms commonly land somewhere in the $1,300 to $1,700 range, and two-bedrooms frequently run from the high $1,600s into the $2,000s. Newer construction and townhome-style layouts sit toward the upper end. Older, un-renovated units sit lower. Always confirm current pricing directly with any community, because availability moves these numbers week to week.
The headline rent is only part of the story. Before you compare two places fairly, add up:
Parking. Surface lots are often free. Covered, gated, or garage parking may cost extra, or may be included at nicer communities. If you drive an EV, ask specifically about charging.
Pet rent and deposits. A monthly pet rent plus a one-time deposit is common. It adds up over a lease.
Utilities and tech. Some communities bundle wifi, trash, or valet trash into a flat fee. Others bill it all separately. A "cheaper" rent with five add-on fees can cost more than a higher rent that includes them.
Move-in costs. Application fee, admin fee, security deposit, and any first-month specials. Ask what's truly due at signing.
How to read an apartment before you sign
Listings are marketing. Here's what actually separates a good North Phoenix apartment from a frustrating one.
Tour in person, ideally on a weekday evening. You'll learn more about noise, parking, and how the place is maintained in fifteen real minutes than in fifty photos.
Check the ceilings and light. Taller ceilings and good natural light make a modest square footage feel generous. Low, dim units feel smaller than their floor plan suggests.
Open the laundry question early. In-unit, full-size washer and dryer is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade over a shared laundry room or a stacked closet unit. Confirm what's actually in the home you'd rent, not the model.
Walk the parking. Where would you actually park at 9pm on a Tuesday? Gated or covered parking matters more in Phoenix summers than people expect.
Test the commute for real. Drive from the unit to where you go most during the hour you'd normally travel. North Phoenix freeway access is good, but a few blocks changes everything.
Ask how maintenance requests are handled. Response time is the single best predictor of whether you'll be happy a year in.
A quick comparison of North Phoenix rental types
The area gives you a few genuinely different options. They aren't better or worse, just suited to different lives.
Rental type | Typical trade-off | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Older garden-style complex | Lowest rent, more square footage, but dated finishes and shared laundry are common | Budget-focused renters who don't mind doing some compromising |
Mid-range renovated community | Updated interiors and standard amenities at a moderate rent | Most renters wanting a balance of cost and comfort |
Newer loft-style apartment | Higher rent for tall ceilings, in-unit laundry, modern appliances, better parking | People who work or relax at home and value the space and light |
Luxury townhome | Top of the range, with more privacy, multiple levels, and often more bedrooms | Households or roommates who want house-like space without buying |
Single-family or duplex rental | Most space and privacy, but you handle more yourself and pay for it | Families or anyone needing a yard and separation from neighbors |
The right row depends on whether you're optimizing for the lowest possible rent, the most space, or the day-to-day experience of living there.
The Landon: one North Phoenix option worth knowing
If you land in the newer-and-modern row of that table, The Landon is a community in North Phoenix worth putting on your tour list. It sits at 8125 N 23rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85021, near the I-17, which keeps freeway access simple for commuters.
The Landon describes itself as attainable luxury, and the format reflects that. It offers loft-style one and two bedroom apartments, plus one, two, and three bedroom luxury townhomes, with apartments starting at $1,645 a month. Homes feature 9 to 11 foot ceilings depending on the layout, solid wood barn doors, high-end appliances, and a full-size washer and dryer in the unit, the kind of details that make a floor plan live larger than its number.
On the community side, there's The Landon Lounge, a pool and sundeck, a 24/7 fitness center, and gated underground parking with more than 20 EV charging spots, which is unusually generous for the area if you drive electric. Daily trash valet and high-speed wifi are part of the in-home setup. It's a pet-friendly community, and there's a large dog and walking park right next door, so the dog gets the upgrade too.
A couple of practical notes that matter to real renters: The Landon advertises one-minute application approvals, and applicants with a past eviction are welcome, with applications reviewed individually rather than auto-rejected on a single flag. If you want current floor plan sizes, fees, and availability, the leasing team can give you straight answers. You can browse floor plans, book a tour, or call 480-572-0006.
It won't be the cheapest listing you find in North Phoenix, and it isn't trying to be. If your priorities are space, modern finishes, and parking you don't have to think about, it's a fair example of what the upper-mid tier up here can look like.
How North Phoenix compares to the rest of the Valley
A few honest trade-offs, since you're probably weighing other areas too.
Versus central and downtown Phoenix, North Phoenix generally gives you more square footage per dollar and easier parking, at the cost of walkability and nightlife. Versus Scottsdale or Tempe, it's usually friendlier on rent for a comparable unit, with the trade-off of a longer drive to those areas' dining and job centers. Versus the far north and Deer Valley edges, the more central parts of North Phoenix put you closer to everything while the foothills trade convenience for quiet and views.
None of those is the "right" answer. They're just the levers. Get clear on whether you're optimizing for commute, cost, space, or vibe, and the choice gets a lot simpler.
Frequently asked questions
Is North Phoenix a good area to rent an apartment?
Yes, for many renters it's one of the better-value parts of the Valley. You generally get more space per dollar than central Phoenix and easier freeway access than outlying suburbs. The main caveat is that quality varies a lot building to building, so the specific community matters more than the area label.
How much is rent for an apartment in North Phoenix?
It depends heavily on age and location, but as a rough band, smaller one-bedrooms often start in the low-to-mid $1,000s and two-bedrooms commonly run from the high $1,600s into the $2,000s. Newer construction sits at the higher end. Always confirm current pricing with the specific community, since availability shifts the numbers.
What's the cheapest way to rent in North Phoenix?
Older garden-style complexes away from the newest construction typically carry the lowest rents, and you can stretch further by being flexible on finishes and shared laundry. Watch the add-on fees, though. A low headline rent stacked with parking, pet, and utility charges can quietly cost more than a higher all-in rent.
Are there pet-friendly apartments in North Phoenix?
Yes, many North Phoenix communities are pet-friendly, though policies on breed, weight, and fees vary by property, so confirm the details before you fall in love with a place. As one example, The Landon is pet-friendly and has a large dog and walking park right next door.
Is parking easy at North Phoenix apartments?
Usually easier than in central Phoenix, but it ranges. Older complexes often offer open surface parking, while newer communities may have covered, gated, or garage spots, sometimes for an added fee. If you drive an EV, ask specifically about charging, since dedicated chargers are still relatively uncommon.
What should I look for when touring a North Phoenix apartment?
Tour in person on a weekday evening, check ceiling height and natural light, confirm whether the actual unit has in-unit laundry, and walk the parking situation. Then test your real commute during the hour you'd normally drive it. Maintenance responsiveness is also worth asking about, since it shapes the whole lease.
Does North Phoenix have newer or luxury apartments, or just older buildings?
Both. The majority of stock is older and mid-range, but there's a growing set of newer loft-style and luxury townhome communities. These trade a higher rent for taller ceilings, modern appliances, in-unit laundry, and better parking. The Landon is one such example near the I-17.
Can I rent in North Phoenix if I have a past eviction?
It depends on the community's written policy, and many will look at the full picture rather than auto-rejecting. Ask each property how it handles screening before you pay an application fee. The Landon, for instance, welcomes applicants with a past eviction and reviews applications individually.
*Equal Housing Opportunity. The Landon is an equal housing opportunity provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or source of income, in accordance with the federal Fair Housing Act and the City of Phoenix Human Relations Ordinance. Every applicant is evaluated individually under the same written criteria.*
