Apartments to rent in 85003, Phoenix

85003 covers the Central City / Downtown Phoenix core (Roosevelt Row, parts of the Civic/Convention Center and adjacent residential blocks). This ZIP is very walkable, well served by Valley Metro light rail, and offers a mix of older bungalow blocks, historic districts and newer mid‑ and high‑rise apartments.

Nearby ZIPs Comparison

ZIPsCostSchoolsSafetyWalkability
85003 — Central City High Mixed Higher property crime Excellent
85004 — Downtown / Civic Center High Mixed Higher property crime Excellent
85007 — Roosevelt / Central City Moderate Mixed Mixed Very good
85013 — Alhambra / Encanto Moderate Good Mixed Good
85040 — South Phoenix Lower Mixed/Varies Mixed / higher in parts Moderate
Excellent/Good
Average
Poor/Less Safe

Source: Trulia / live listings (sample)

ZIP 85003 Rental Prices

Studio
$1,000 – $1,600
1 bedroom
$1,200 – $1,900
2 bedroom
$1,700 – $2,800
3 bedroom
$2,400 – $4,500

Source: Trulia / live listings (sample)

Rentals available in 85003

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85003 Schools & Education

Top Public Schools

Lowell School (PK–8)

⭐ Not rated GreatSchools / local listings
1121 S 3rd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85003
🧭 In‑ZIP (85003)

Top Private Schools

Source: GreatSchools / district websites / Trulia listings

85003 Safety & Crime Overview

Mixed / higher property crime

Downtown / Central City (85003) is an active urban core with significant pedestrian activity and nightlife; property‑type crimes (vehicle break‑ins, thefts) are more common here than in many Phoenix suburbs. Violent crime in Phoenix has trended down in recent statewide data, but downtown still requires the usual urban precautions (lock cars, avoid poorly lit blocks at night). City police and downtown safety patrols are active; hotspots tend to cluster around entertainment corridors and transit hubs.

Source: Arizona / Phoenix crime reporting and news summaries

85003 Walkability, Transit & Bike Scores

Walk Score ~90
Walker's Paradise — most errands can be done on foot (Downtown core)
Transit Score ~78
Excellent transit access — multiple Valley Metro Light Rail stops and frequent bus service
Bike Score ~76
Very Bikeable — downtown streets and multiuse paths, short hops to Tempe/ASU
<10 min
To Downtown Phoenix core/Convention Center by light rail or short walk — many stops in/near 85003 (Roosevelt/Central, 3rd St/Jefferson). Valley Metro rail hub and multiple stations are within the ZIP

Source: Property & WalkScore indicators, Valley Metro (station pages)

85003, Phoenix Summary

Overview

ZIP 85003 is the heart of Central City / Downtown Phoenix — a compact, walkable urban neighborhood with galleries (Roosevelt Row), civic parks, mid‑rise and historic housing, and strong transit access. It’s a good fit for renters who value walkability, transit and proximity to downtown jobs and entertainment. Housing stock ranges from historic bungalow blocks to new mid/high‑rise rentals and adaptive‑reuse lofts.

Key Features

  • Walkable urban core: Restaurants, galleries, coffee shops and frequent transit stops within easy walking distance.
  • Transit access: Multiple Valley Metro light rail stations and bus lines serve the area; new south‑central extensions improved connectivity.
  • Parks & culture: Civic Space Park, Hance Park and nearby cultural institutions (ASU Downtown campus, theaters) provide green and cultural amenities.
  • Mixed housing stock: From renovated historic homes to modern apartments and live/work buildings — strong rental market with diverse product.

Housing Snapshot

  • High rental demand near light rail and entertainment corridors
  • Mix of older affordable units plus expensive new units and condos
  • Strong investor and redevelopment activity in and around Roosevelt Row

History

  • Early Phoenix core: Much of downtown sits on the historic commercial core of Phoenix; blocks around Washington/Jefferson grew in the early 20th century.
  • Historic districts & reuse: Roosevelt Row and several nearby blocks have been conserved and adaptively reused — warehouses became galleries, lofts and restaurants.

Demographics and Lifestyle

  • Population mix: A mix of students, young professionals, long‑term residents and growing numbers of downtown commuters.
  • Lifestyle: Active nightlife, arts and event-driven weekends — amenity-rich but more urban in character than Phoenix suburbs.
  • Transit-oriented: High share of residents use transit, biking and walking for short trips; many residents are renters.