City Comparison

Frisco vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Frisco

Texas
115
Above Average
$500,000
Median Home
$1,900/mo
Median Rent
$126,048
Median Income

Surprise

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

The Verdict

11.7%

Living in Surprise costs 11.7% less than Frisco. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Frisco, you would need $67,174 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
142
Frisco
105
Surprise
Groceries
99
Frisco
100
Surprise
Utilities
99
Frisco
102
Surprise
Transportation
106
Frisco
106
Surprise
Healthcare
100
Frisco
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Frisco has the same purchasing power as $67,174 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $83,738 in Frisco.

Living in Frisco vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Frisco's housing index of 142 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $500,000 vs $419,000. The $81,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,268 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,900/mo in Frisco compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $325.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Frisco and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Frisco 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 Frisco and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Frisco vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 100 in Frisco 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 $126,048 in Frisco and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $109,607 and $83,010 respectively. Frisco residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,941/month to housing in Frisco vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Frisco, median rent of $1,900/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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surprise is 11.7% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Frisco has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $67,174 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Frisco's housing index is 142 with median homes at $500,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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