Cost of Living in Surprise, AZ

Population 149,519 · Arizona · Data vintage 2023

136

Cost Index
(100 = US avg)

Page updated: April 2026 · Data vintage: 2023 ACS 5-Year

Sources: Census ACS·BLS·NOAA·EPA·Zillow · Methodology

The Surprise cost-of-living profile is closer to the US median than most headline-grabbing metros — typical homes around $396,000, rents near $1,917 a month.

Cost Overview

Housing 130

Rent 146

Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.

About the Cost of Living in Surprise

The median home value in Surprise is $396,000 — 30% above the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $1,917/month, 46% higher than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $93,371/year is 25% higher than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 4.2%, below the national average of 4.8%. Arizona's top state income tax rate is 2.5% and the combined sales tax is 8.4%. Overall, Surprise has a cost of living index of 136 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 36% more expensive.

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value

$396,000

30% above avg

Zillow Home Value

$421,071

Zillow ZHVI

Median Rent

$1,917/mo

46% above avg

Zillow Rent

$1,925/mo

Zillow ZORI

Price-to-Rent Ratio

17.2x

Favors buying

Property Tax Rate

0.6%

Effective rate

HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio

$985

1 BR

$1,055

2 BR

$1,373

3 BR

$1,877

4 BR

$2,092

Owner-occupied 79.0%

Renter-occupied 21.0%

💰 Estimated Monthly Budget

Rent median rent

$1,917

Groceries national estimate

$400

Utilities local estimate

$88

Transportation local gas prices

$126

Estimated Total $2,531/mo

Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.

🛒 Food & Groceries

National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.

🥚

Eggs (dozen)

$0.548

🍞

White Bread (lb)

$1.912

🥩

Ground Beef (lb)

$5.61

🚗 Transportation

Avg Commute

33.0 min

22% above avg

Gas Price

$3.145/gal

0% below avg

Work From Home

17.6%

Commute Mode

Drove alone

70.7%

Carpooled

9.2%

Public transit

0.1%

Walked

0.8%

Bicycle

0.2%

Work from home

17.6%

⚡ Utilities

Electricity

$0.176/kWh

0% below avg

📋 Taxes

State Income Tax (flat) 2.5%

Total Sales Tax 8.4%

State rate 5.6%

Avg local rate 2.8%

Property Tax 0.6%

💼 Income & Employment

Median Household Income

$93,371

25% above avg

Per Capita Income

$39,604

Unemployment Rate

4.2%

12% below avg

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Labor Force Participation

58.6%

🎓 Education

Bachelor's degree+ 19.9%

Graduate degree 11.1%

👥 Demographics

Median Age 41.6

Male median age 40.6

Female median age 42.4

💨 Air Quality

EPA AQS 2023 — county-level monitoring data

Median AQI 72 — Moderate

11.2%

Good air days/yr

183

Max AQI recorded

PM2.5 days

193

Ozone days

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Surprise, AZ?

Surprise has a cost index of 136 (100 = national average). It is 36% above the national average.

What is average rent in Surprise, AZ?

The median gross rent in Surprise is $1,917 per month based on 2023 Census data.

What is the average home price in Surprise?

The median home value in Surprise is $396,000 according to Zillow and Census data.

What is the median income in Surprise?

The median household income in Surprise is $93,371 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).

What is the sales tax in Surprise, AZ?

The combined state and local sales tax rate in Surprise is 8.4%. The Arizona state income tax top rate is 2.5%.

Is Surprise, AZ affordable?

Surprise is above average in cost of living, with an index of 136 — about 36% higher than the national average.

Surprise at a Glance

Population: 149,519
Median Income: $93,371
Home Value: $396,000
Median Rent: $1,917/mo
Unemployment: 4.2%
Sales Tax: 8.4%

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