Families in Tempe earn a median $78,044 a year, and the typical owned home is worth $488,600. A simple rule puts the need for a typical family here at about $1,100,000. Term life is usually the lowest cost way to get there.
Tempe by the numbers
- Median household income
- $78,044Close to the Arizona median of $81,486
- Typical home value
- $488,600Higher than the Arizona median of $426,000
- Homes owned
- 41%60% of owned homes have a mortgage
- Households with kids
- 17%81,327 households in all
- Age 65 and older
- 13%Median age 30.5
- Veterans
- 7,1574.3% of adults
Living in Tempe
Tempe is the 9th largest city in Arizona, with 190,113 residents and a median age of 30.5. That is younger than the state as a whole, so more families here are in the years when term life matters most.
The median household here earns $78,044, close to the US median of $81,604. The typical home costs about 6.3 times that income, a heavy load for one paycheck to carry alone.
Compared with nearby Chandler (9 miles away), homes in Tempe are worth less ($488,600 vs $546,800), and fewer households have kids at home.
The biggest hands on job group here is health care, at 9.5% of workers. Health care workers on shifts and contracts can lose group coverage between jobs.
Who works in Tempe
The biggest groups of hands on and front line jobs here, as a share of all workers. Some of these jobs can change your price, and some companies treat them better than others.
What fits families in Tempe
60% of owned homes in Tempe still have a mortgage. If your family would struggle to make that payment without you, size a policy to the loan. More on mortgage protection
17% of households here have kids under 18. Term life covers the years they depend on you for the lowest price. More on term life
13% of people in Tempe are 65 or older, lower than the Arizona rate. A small policy keeps funeral costs off the family. More on final expense
About 7,157 veterans live in Tempe. VGLI is not your only choice. More on veterans
Final expense and burial insurance in Tempe
About 24,400 people in Tempe are 65 or older. A small final expense policy, also called burial insurance, pays for the funeral so the family does not have to.
| Age | Women, $10,000 | Men, $10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | $33 | $43 |
| 70 | $53 | $70 |
| 80 | $98 | $134 |
National sample rates, Choice Mutual, Rates valid as of March 9, 2026. Not a quote. Funeral costs and help in Arizona
Arizona rules that protect you
- Free look: set by policy
- Grace period: 30 days if you miss a payment
- Guaranty protection: up to $300,000 in death benefits
- Help line: Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, 602-364-2499
Common questions in Tempe
How much life insurance do I need in Tempe?
A quick rule of thumb: 10 years of income plus what you owe on your home. With Tempe's median household income of $78,044 and a typical home value of $488,600, that lands near $1,100,000 for a typical family. Your number depends on your debts, kids and savings. Our calculator does the math.
Can I get life insurance in Tempe without a medical exam?
Often, yes. Many companies approve healthy people with health questions and records instead of an exam. Older buyers can also look at simplified issue or guaranteed issue final expense plans.
Do I need an agent licensed in Arizona?
Yes. An agent must hold a Arizona license to sell you a policy. You can check a license with the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions at 602-364-2499.
Source: Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions
What does a funeral cost near Tempe?
Local prices vary by funeral home. Nationally, the median funeral with viewing and burial was $8,300 in 2023, and $6,280 with cremation (NFDA). Under the FTC Funeral Rule, any funeral home in Tempe must give you an itemized price list.
Source: FTC Funeral Rule · NFDA price study
What happens if my insurance company fails in Arizona?
The Arizona Life & Disability Insurance Guaranty Fund protects Arizona policyholders up to $300,000 in death benefits, per insured person.
Source: Arizona Life & Disability Insurance Guaranty Fund · NOLHGA: how you are protected
Near Tempe
Chandler (9 mi), Gilbert (12 mi), Mesa (12 mi), Phoenix (16 mi), Glendale (18 mi), Scottsdale (21 mi)
Sources
Local numbers are Census American Community Survey 2024 one year estimates for Tempe, AZ. The coverage figure is a rule of thumb, not advice.
