Peoria vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 9.7% less expensive than Peoria overall. A household earning $75,000 in Peoria would need approximately $68,363 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 Peoria has the same purchasing power as $68,363 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $82,282 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 149 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $495,000 vs $419,000. The $76,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,944 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,725/mo in Peoria compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Peoria and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Peoria 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 106 in Peoria and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Peoria vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 86 in Peoria and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $97,300 in Peoria and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $86,106 and $83,010 respectively. Peoria residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,270/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Peoria, median rent of $1,725/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 44 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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