Abilene vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Abilene
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 22.3%, with Abilene being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Abilene has equivalent purchasing power to $96,563 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Abilene has the same purchasing power as $96,563 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $58,252 in Abilene.
Living in Abilene vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Abilene's housing index of 58 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $179,000 vs $419,000. The $240,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,600 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Abilene compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $625.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 91 in Abilene and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $432/month in Abilene vs $475/month in Surprise. Abilene offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Abilene and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Abilene vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 96 in Abilene and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $62,600 in Abilene and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $78,250 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,461/month to housing in Abilene vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Abilene, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 47 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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