City Comparison
Peoria vs Surprise
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Peoria
Surprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Peoria is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Surprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Peoria's average rent is
13% lower than Surprise's.
| Metric | Peoria | Surprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,817 | $2,100 | -13% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,737 | $3,020 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 103 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers similar 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 Peoria is estimated at
$60,000 vs $60,000 in Surprise.
| Metric | Peoria | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,903 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $95,815 | $96,711 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.3°F of each other.
| Metric | Peoria | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.40°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 105.20°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 49.40°F | 47.00°F |
| Rainfall | 14.20 in | 10.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 322 | 330 |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Peoria scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Peoria leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Peoria | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x the population of Surprise.
From a growth perspective, Surprise 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 | Peoria | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 200,881 | 167,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.84% | 3.31% |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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.
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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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