PHOENIX — College students have a hard enough time scraping by without living in an expensive place.

Those who choose Arizona State University to pursue a degree will be making a smart decision financially, at least for what they will be spending on living expenses.

TurboTenant ranked Tempe, Arizona, the home to ASU, the fourth most affordable college town in the country.

If Arizona conjures up images of desolate deserts and cacti, you might want to take a trip to Tempe to readjust your mindset. Try your hand at paddle boarding on Tempe Town Lake or head for a hike on the countless trails spanning the area. College students will benefit from the 175 miles of bikeways, which make this city easy to navigate even on a budget. In fact, Tempe is a designated Bicycle Friendly Community with bike paths that span both desert paths and city streets. With rental prices still attainable and an array of affordable things to do, this thriving desert community found its way on our list.

Arizona State University boasts more than just a massive undergrad population. It is also located within walking distance of Downtown Tempe, which means there is never a shortage of activity and nightlife to take in for students. The Tempe campus offers a plethora of degree programs, and is the location of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, the School for the Future of Innovation in Society, and the School of Sustainability.

The study found the average two-bedroom monthly rental price in Tempe is $1,266, with many great options near campus for students.

Also in the top five for most affordable college towns are Columbus, Ohio (Ohio State University), State College, Pennsylvania (Penn State University), Champaign, Illinois (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) and East Lansing, Michigan (Michigan State University).

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