Kent vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Kent
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 33.0% less than Kent. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Kent, you would need $56,387 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Kent has the same purchasing power as $56,387 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $99,757 in Kent.
Living in Kent vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Kent's housing index of 195 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $595,000 vs $419,000. The $176,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,436 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,750/mo in Kent compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 109 in Kent and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $518/month in Kent 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 Kent and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Kent vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 122 in Kent 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 $98,300 in Kent and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,752 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 $2,294/month to housing in Kent vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Kent, median rent of $1,750/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 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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