Fort Worth vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Fort Worth
Surprise
The Verdict
Fort Worth is 7.8% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth has the same purchasing power as $81,316 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $69,175 in Fort Worth.
Living in Fort Worth vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Fort Worth's housing index of 87 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $270,000 vs $419,000. The $149,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,684 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Fort Worth compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Fort Worth and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Fort Worth 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 99 in Fort Worth and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Fort Worth vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Fort Worth 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 $62,187 in Fort Worth and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,460 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 $1,451/month to housing in Fort Worth vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Fort Worth, median rent of $1,400/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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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