City Comparison
Surprise vs Phoenix
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Surprise
Phoenix
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Phoenix is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Surprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Surprise's average rent is
41% higher than Phoenix's.
| Metric | Surprise | Phoenix | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,100 | $1,492 | +41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $426 | -6% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $120 | $64 | +88% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $380 | -42% |
| Monthly Total | $3,020 | $2,753 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 105 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Surprise offers 46% higher 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 Surprise is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,974 in Phoenix.
| Metric | Surprise | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $49,356 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,974 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,469 idx | 47,006 idx |
| Household Income | $96,711 | $81,332 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Surprise runs warmer on average — a 75.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Surprise comes out ahead with 330 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Surprise sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Surprise | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 75.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 10.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 330 | |
| Humidity | 30.00% | 14.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Phoenix scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Phoenix leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Surprise | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 31.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Phoenix is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Surprise.
From a growth perspective, Surprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Surprise | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 167,602 | 1,677,947 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.31% | 0.75% |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Phoenix
Advantages
Phoenix's job market is projected to grow by 0.7% in 2026, outpacing many other regions.
The city ranks as the No. 7 most supportive city in the U.S. for small businesses as of April 2026.
Healthcare costs in Phoenix are 4% lower than the national average.
The average one-way commute time in Phoenix is 26 minutes, slightly less than the U.S. average.
Phoenix experiences abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days per year.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Phoenix is 5% higher than the national average, primarily due to housing expenses.
Phoenix's overall crime rate, while below the national average, still faces challenges with property crimes like auto theft.
The city has a low walkability score of 41, indicating high car dependency for most errands.
Summers in Phoenix are extremely hot, with average July highs around 105°F.
Traffic congestion in Phoenix resulted in commuters losing 76 hours in 2024, higher than the national average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Phoenix
#438Arizona, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,492
Avg Salary
$49,356
Cost Index
105
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
41.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.75%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
68
Business
75
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