City Comparison
Yuma vs Surprise
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Surprise scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yuma
Surprise
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yuma is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Surprise.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yuma's average rent is
29% lower than Surprise's.
| Metric | Yuma | Surprise | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,500 | $2,100 | -29% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,420 | $3,020 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 98 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Surprise offers 23% 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 Yuma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $60,000 in Surprise.
| Metric | Yuma | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,200 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,355 idx | 73,469 idx |
| Household Income | $65,482 | $96,711 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yuma comes out ahead with 17 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
| Metric | Yuma | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 77.40°F | 75.10°F |
| Summer High | 107.10°F | 106.10°F |
| Winter Low | 51.00°F | 47.00°F |
| Rainfall | 5.80 in | 10.70 in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 347 | 330 |
| Humidity | 35.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Yuma has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Surprise.
Surprise scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Surprise leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yuma | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 22.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Surprise is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Yuma.
From a growth perspective, Surprise is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Yuma | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 105,227 | 167,602 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 3.31% |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 41.4 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.20% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yuma
Advantages
Over 340 days of sunshine annually provide an exceptional climate for outdoor recreation and winter warmth.
Housing and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average and neighboring California markets.
Major stability provided by large military installations (MCAS Yuma and Yuma Proving Ground).
World-class recreational access to the Colorado River for boating, fishing, and water sports.
A rich bicultural community offering vibrant local culture and exceptional authentic dining.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer temperatures frequently exceed 105°F, requiring heavy air conditioning use.
High seasonal unemployment rates driven by cyclical agricultural harvesting schedules.
High degree of car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure.
Summer utility bills can surge significantly due to continuous cooling requirements.
Lower average educational attainment rates compared to national benchmarks in specific segments.
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.
Yuma
#187Arizona, USA
64.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,500
Avg Salary
$55,200
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
22.0/100
Walkability
34.0/100
Sunny Days
347/yr
Avg Temp
77.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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