City Comparison

Colorado Springs vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Colorado Springs

Colorado
105
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$64,712
Median Income

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

1.9%

Living in Surprise costs 1.9% less than Colorado Springs. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs, you would need $73,571 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
115
Colorado Springs
105
Surprise
Groceries
100
Colorado Springs
100
Surprise
Utilities
93
Colorado Springs
102
Surprise
Transportation
101
Colorado Springs
106
Surprise
Healthcare
104
Colorado Springs
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has the same purchasing power as $73,571 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $76,456 in Colorado Springs.

Living in Colorado Springs vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Colorado Springs's housing index of 115 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $419,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Colorado Springs compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Colorado Springs and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Colorado Springs 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 93 in Colorado Springs and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Colorado Springs vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 104 in Colorado Springs 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 $64,712 in Colorado Springs and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $61,630 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 $1,510/month to housing in Colorado Springs vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Colorado Springs, median rent of $1,500/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 10 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surprise is 1.9% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Colorado Springs has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,571 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Colorado Springs's housing index is 115 with median homes at $380,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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