Little Rock vs Surprise

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $91,964 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $61,165 in Little Rock.

Living in Little Rock vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $419,000. The $249,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,188 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $475/month in Surprise. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Little Rock and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock 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 90 in Little Rock 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 $47,638 in Little Rock and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 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 $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/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 43 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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