Living in Surprise, Arizona
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Surprise · Census data 2020–2024
Surprise has 154,948 residents with a median age of 41.4. The median household income is $96,711 (21% higher than the Arizona median), the median home value is $435,100, the median rent is $2,033/month.
Surprise at a glance
- Population
- 154,948
- Median age
- 41.4State: 39
- Median household income
- $96,711State: $79,964
- Median home value
- $435,100State: $394,500
- Median rent
- $2,033/moState: $1,543
- Homeowners
- 79.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 30.5%
- Average commute
- 30 min
Is Surprise a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 21% higher than the Arizona median; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 8.6%.
Cons: Home values 10% higher than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes.
The weather is best in March–April and October–November.
Cost of living in Surprise
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Surprise the median home value is $435,100, 31% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $2,033 per month, which is 32.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,860 a month in housing costs.
Surprise median household income
The median household income in Surprise is $96,711 and the income per person is $41,888. 8.6% of residents live below the poverty line (Arizona: 12.5%).
Housing in Surprise: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 62,098
- Owner-occupied
- 79.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 20.9%
- Vacant
- 9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 2005
- Average household size
- 2.71
Surprise demographics
- Population
- 154,948
- Median age
- 41.4
- Under 18
- 23.1%
- 65 and older
- 22.2%
- Households
- 56,506
- Foreign-born
- 7%
- Veterans
- 10.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Surprise ›
Education in Surprise
30.5% of adults 25 and older in Surprise have a bachelor's degree or higher (Arizona: 33.3%), and 11.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Surprise
- Unemployment rate
- 4.3%State: 5.1%
- Average commute
- 30 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 19.5%
- Drive alone
- 69.4%
- Public transit
- 0.1%
- Walk to work
- 0.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.6%
Surprise vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surprise | 154,948 | $96,711 | $435,100 | $2,033 |
| Sun City West | 27,425 | $63,685 | $377,800 | $1,672 |
| El Mirage | 36,088 | $78,050 | $321,900 | $1,806 |
| Citrus Park | 5,115 | $141,026 | $722,500 | $2,863 |
| Youngtown | 7,015 | $68,321 | $320,000 | $1,157 |
| Sun City | 37,486 | $54,586 | $280,900 | $1,569 |
| Peoria | 196,906 | $95,815 | $463,600 | $1,843 |
| Circle City | 1,089 | $41,875 | $214,700 | $850 |
| Litchfield Park | 6,916 | $126,250 | $577,000 | $1,922 |
More for people moving to Surprise
Surprise ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Surprise: FAQ
What is the median household income in Surprise, AZ?
The median household income in Surprise is $96,711, 21% higher than the Arizona median of $79,964 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Surprise?
The median home value in Surprise is $435,100, compared with $394,500 in Arizona.
How much is rent in Surprise?
The median gross rent in Surprise is $2,033 per month, about 32.2% of household income.
Is Surprise, AZ a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 21% higher than the Arizona median; unemployment of 4.3%; a poverty rate of 8.6%. Minuses: home values 10% higher than the state median; an average commute of 30 minutes.
What is the median age in Surprise?
The median age in Surprise is 41.4 years (Arizona: 39).
How long is the commute in Surprise?
The average commute to work in Surprise is 30 minutes; 19.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Surprise?
The unemployment rate in Surprise is 4.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Surprise?
30.5% of adults in Surprise have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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