Surprise 74 Excellent
Surprise Livability #19 ranked city in Arizona#4,208 ranked city in the USARanks better than 85% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Surprise

PROS
  • Crime

    This area boasts a crime rate that is far below the national average, making it a very safe place to live. These crime statistics encompass both property and violent offenses.

  • Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

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What's it like Living in Surprise?

Located in the state of Arizona, Surprise is a moderately-sized city with a population of 139,007 people. According to the most recent Census, 83% of Surprise residents are White, 5% Black and 3% Asian. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Surprise offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 31 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Surprise is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a great experience before relocating to any new city in Arizona, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Finding the best places to live in Surprise and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes amenities, crime, commute, health & safety, education and other important metrics.

Surprise, AZ receives 72/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #28 in Arizona and #4,839 in the USA. For each of the livability categories, we know that Surprise ranks very well for crime (A), cost of living (B), employment (B+) and housing (A+). On a more negative note, Surprise does not have favorable ranks for the following: amenities (D-) and education (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

Low rates of violent crime, encompassing offenses such as murder, rape, robbery and assault, contribute significantly to a safer living environment. This reduction in crime minimizes the chances of personal harm, property theft, or violent incidents. Furthermore, low crime rates can have a positive impact on property values and the overall desirability of an area. There were 118 crimes per 100,000 residents, which signifies that Surprise boasts an impressively low violent crime rate that falls well below the national average.

Unemployment rates can vary significantly among cities, impacting job prospects, wage levels and the overall economic health of an area. In Surprise, the unemployment rate stands at 2.58%, suggesting increased job opportunities and a heightened demand for workers. This scenario can lead to higher wages, as the demand for employees outpaces job availability. Importantly, a low unemployment rate often signifies a robust and flourishing local economy.

A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Surprise has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.

Surprise real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Surprise. The median home price for Surprise homes is $258,700, which is 46.2% higher than the Arizona average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Surprise, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 3.6, which is 2.9% higher than the Arizona average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Surprise

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Compare Surprise, AZ Livability

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      Surprise transportation information

      Statistic Surprise Arizona National
      Average one way commute31min25min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.1%76.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool9.2%10.9%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.2%2.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.5%1.0%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.6%2.0%2.8%
      Working from home8.9%5.7%4.6%
      Source: The Surprise, AZ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).