City Comparison
Prescott vs Surprise
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Prescott
Surprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Prescott is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Surprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Prescott's average rent is
14% lower than Surprise's.
| Metric | Prescott | Surprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $2,100 | -14% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,730 | $3,020 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 104 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Surprise offers 19% 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 Prescott is estimated at
$52,000 vs $60,000 in Surprise.
| Metric | Prescott | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,769 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $70,874 | $96,711 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Surprise runs warmer on average — a 15.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Surprise comes out ahead with 33 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Prescott sees 24 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Prescott | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.20°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 35.20°F | 47.00°F |
| Rainfall | 15.60 in | 10.70 in |
| Snowfall | 24.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 297 | 330 |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Prescott has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Surprise.
For walkability, Prescott leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Prescott | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surprise is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Prescott.
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 | Prescott | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,945 | 167,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 3.31% |
| Median Age | 59.7 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Prescott
Advantages
Median household income in Prescott stands at $70,874, reflecting solid middle-class economic stability per U.S. Census data.
Average rent hovers around $1,800 per month, offering competitive leasing options compared to major Arizona metros.
Prescott enjoys an exceptional climate featuring 297 sunny days per year and refreshing four-season mountain weather.
Abundant outdoor recreation assets include over 450 miles of trails and scenic lakes like Watson Lake.
Crime rates remain significantly lower than the national average, ensuring a secure environment.
Drawbacks
Median property values have risen sharply to over $564,000, creating housing affordability hurdles for first-time buyers.
Local public transit infrastructure is limited, making vehicle ownership an absolute necessity for daily life.
The local economy relies heavily on seasonal tourism and hospitality, which can create employment fluctuation.
Average wages in several local sectors lag behind statewide and national compensation benchmarks.
Higher median age can limit certain types of fast-paced urban nightlife and entertainment venues.
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.
Prescott
#301Arizona, USA
61.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
104
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
297/yr
Avg Temp
59.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
Business
68
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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