Lakewood vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 29.1% less expensive than Lakewood overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lakewood would need approximately $58,083 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 Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $58,083 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $96,845 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $419,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $275.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $408 in Surprise. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 84 in Lakewood and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $83,800 in Lakewood and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 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 $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 83 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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