City Comparison
Tempe vs Surprise
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Surprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tempe is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Surprise.
| Metric | Tempe | Surprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $2,100 | -8% |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 | +10% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $3,020 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 6% 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 Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $60,000 in Surprise.
| Metric | Tempe | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $96,711 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
| Metric | Tempe | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | 47.00°F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | 10.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | 330 |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Tempe has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Surprise.
Tempe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tempe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tempe | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 1.1x the population of Surprise.
From a growth perspective, Surprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Surprise has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tempe | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 167,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 3.31% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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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