City Comparison
Buckeye vs Surprise
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buckeye
Surprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Buckeye is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Surprise.
| Metric | Buckeye | Surprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,950 | $2,100 | -7% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $210 | $180 | +17% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,990 | $3,020 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Surprise offers 6% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Surprise delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buckeye is estimated at
$60,000 vs $60,000 in Surprise.
| Metric | Buckeye | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,019 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $99,486 | $96,711 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.60000000000001°F of each other.
| Metric | Buckeye | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.70°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 106.90°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.40°F | 47.00°F |
| Rainfall | 10.30 in | 10.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 328 | 330 |
| Humidity | 28.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Surprise has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Buckeye.
Surprise scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buckeye leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buckeye | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 32.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surprise is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Buckeye.
From a growth perspective, Buckeye is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Surprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buckeye | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,445 | 167,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.80% | 3.31% |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buckeye
Advantages
Rapid population and economic growth momentum, ranked among the fastest-growing cities in the U.S.
More affordable housing options and larger home sizes compared to core Phoenix and Scottsdale markets
Abundant outdoor recreation access, highlighted by the White Tank Mountain Regional Park
Master-planned communities like Verrado offering high walkability, community events, and modern amenities
Low crime rates and a family-oriented suburban safety profile
Drawbacks
High car dependency and long commuter drive times for residents working in central Phoenix
Extreme summer temperatures exceeding 106°F that elevate seasonal utility and cooling costs
Limited public transportation infrastructure within the city's massive geographic footprint
Ongoing construction disruption and infrastructure strain due to rapid suburban expansion
Higher HOA fees and property valuations associated with newer master-planned developments
Surprise
Advantages
Ranks consistently among the top safest cities in Arizona with low violent crime rates.
Average rent and home prices remain more affordable compared to central Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Hosts Major League Baseball Spring Training at the state-of-the-art Surprise Stadium.
Median household income of $96,711 significantly outperforms the national and state averages.
Abundant sunshine with over 330 sunny days per year supporting an active outdoor lifestyle.
Drawbacks
High summer temperatures exceeding 106°F make outdoor activities difficult during peak afternoons.
High car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city.
Rapid population growth has occasionally introduced traffic congestion along major commuter corridors.
Significant spike in summer electricity and cooling utility bills due to extreme desert heat.
Summer monsoon season can occasionally bring brief, intense dust storms and heavy rainfall.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Buckeye
#64Arizona, USA
69.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,950
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
32.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
328/yr
Avg Temp
75.70°F
Pop. Growth
4.80%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
76
Business
72
Surprise
#13Arizona, USA
74.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,100
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
330/yr
Avg Temp
75.10°F
Pop. Growth
3.31%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
80
Business
72
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