Everett vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Everett
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 32.0% less than Everett. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Everett, you would need $56,801 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Everett has the same purchasing power as $56,801 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $99,029 in Everett.
Living in Everett vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Everett's housing index of 192 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $575,000 vs $419,000. The $156,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,140 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,800/mo in Everett compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $225.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Everett and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Everett vs $475/month in Surprise. Surprise offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $516/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Everett and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Everett vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Everett and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $75,400 in Everett and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,441 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 $1,759/month to housing in Everett vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Everett, median rent of $1,800/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. 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 87 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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