Peoria vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Peoria
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 26.2%, with Peoria being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Peoria has equivalent purchasing power to $101,645 in Surprise.
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 $101,645 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $55,340 in Peoria.
Living in Peoria vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Peoria's housing index of 42 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $164,000 vs $419,000. The $255,000 difference in home prices means roughly $16,572 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Peoria compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Peoria and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/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 103 in Peoria and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $412 in Peoria vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 107 in Peoria and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $58,700 in Peoria and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,237 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 $1,370/month to housing in Peoria vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Peoria, 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 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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