Glendale vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Glendale
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 9.7% less expensive than Glendale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Glendale would need approximately $68,363 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 Glendale has the same purchasing power as $68,363 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $82,282 in Glendale.
Living in Glendale vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $419,000. The $14,000 difference in home prices means roughly $912 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale 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 98 in Glendale and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale 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 $70,100 in Glendale and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 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 $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Glendale, 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 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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