Casper vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Casper
Surprise
The Verdict
Casper is 7.8% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Casper would need approximately $81,316 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $81,316 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $69,175 in Casper.
Living in Casper vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Casper's housing index of 82 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $419,000. The $154,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,008 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper vs $475/month in Surprise. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Casper and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 103 in Casper 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 $70,200 in Casper and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 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 $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/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 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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