City Comparison

Oklahoma City vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma
87
Below Average
$195,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$55,458
Median Income

Surprise

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

The Verdict

15.5%

Oklahoma City is 15.5% less expensive than Surprise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Oklahoma City would need approximately $88,793 in Surprise to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
68
Oklahoma City
105
Surprise
Groceries
95
Oklahoma City
100
Surprise
Utilities
92
Oklahoma City
102
Surprise
Transportation
100
Oklahoma City
106
Surprise
Healthcare
92
Oklahoma City
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Oklahoma City has the same purchasing power as $88,793 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $63,350 in Oklahoma City.

Living in Oklahoma City vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Oklahoma City's housing index of 68 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $195,000 vs $419,000. The $224,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,556 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Oklahoma City compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Oklahoma City and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Oklahoma City 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 92 in Oklahoma City and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Oklahoma City vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 92 in Oklahoma City 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 $55,458 in Oklahoma City and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,745 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 $1,294/month to housing in Oklahoma City vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Oklahoma City, median rent of $1,000/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 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Oklahoma City is 15.5% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Oklahoma City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,793 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Oklahoma City's housing index is 68 with median homes at $195,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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