City Comparison

North Las Vegas vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

North Las Vegas

Nevada
111
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$78,500
Median Income

Surprise

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

The Verdict

7.8%

The cost gap between these cities is 7.8%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in North Las Vegas has equivalent purchasing power to $69,595 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
120
North Las Vegas
105
Surprise
Groceries
104
North Las Vegas
100
Surprise
Utilities
109
North Las Vegas
102
Surprise
Transportation
116
North Las Vegas
106
Surprise
Healthcare
85
North Las Vegas
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in North Las Vegas has the same purchasing power as $69,595 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $80,825 in North Las Vegas.

Living in North Las Vegas vs Surprise

Housing Costs

North Las Vegas's housing index of 120 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: $1,600/mo in North Las Vegas compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in North Las Vegas and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in North Las Vegas 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 109 in North Las Vegas and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $436 in North Las Vegas vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 85 in North Las Vegas and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $78,500 in North Las Vegas and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $70,721 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 $1,832/month to housing in North Las Vegas vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In North Las Vegas, median rent of $1,600/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 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surprise is 7.8% more affordable overall with an index of 103 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in North Las Vegas has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,595 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
North Las Vegas's housing index is 120 with median homes at $405,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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