| Index | Surprise | Arizona | National |
| Cost of living | 115 | 101 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Health care | 100 | 101 | 100 |
| Housing | 146 | 96 | 100 |
| Transportation | 104 | 102 | 100 |
| Utilities | 116 | 111 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 99 | 103 | 100 |
| Household Items | 99 | 101 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 100 | 103 | 100 |
The cost of living in Surprise affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Surprise is 115, which is 15% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing costs are a very significant part of the Surprise cost of living index and generally encompass a large percentage of take-home income. Unfortunately, in this area, the housing costs for both homes and rentals were 45.8% more than the average city. This includes things like home and rent prices, mortgage rates and insurance.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 16 residents in Surprise to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 38% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 63% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Is Surprise an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in Surprise is 44% higher than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 49.9% higher than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. Surprise has a median household income of $106,949, which is 31.5% higher than the national average.
Urbanization: Larger, urban hubs brimming with ample amenities and robust employment opportunities often showcase a heightened cost of living. This surge is primarily attributed to the amplified demand for services and increased residential migration, culminating in elevated home prices and elevated rental rates. Conversely, less densely populated rural locales or regions characterized by reduced demand tend to offer a more limited array of amenities and undergo slower job market growth, ultimately yielding a more affordable cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In Surprise, the groceries index registers 1.5% lower than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Surprise, the transportation index is 3.6% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Surprise are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $112,179 | $9,348 | $2,617 | $3,366 |
| Renters | $89,983 | $7,499 | $2,099 | $2,700 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Arizona | 5.6% | 10.725% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Arizona | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Goodyear Village, AZ | 283 | 86 | 13.7% |
| Deer Creek, AZ | 189 | 96 | 4.2% |
| Youngtown, AZ | 7,044 | 100 | 0.4% |
| Sun City, AZ | 39,873 | 102 | 1.9% |
| Tolleson, AZ | 7,510 | 104 | 4.2% |
| Surprise, AZ | 142,589 | 115 | 15.0% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Whitby, ON | 142,607 | n/a | |
| Carrollton, TX | 142,475 | 111 | 11.1% |
| Charleston, SC | 142,427 | 123 | 22.8% |
| Waco, TX | 142,208 | 93 | 7.0% |
| Milton, ON | 142,128 | n/a | |
| Surprise, AZ | 142,589 | 115 | 15.0% |
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