Plano vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Plano
Surprise
The Verdict
Surprise is 5.8% less expensive than Plano overall. A household earning $75,000 in Plano would need approximately $70,872 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 Plano has the same purchasing power as $70,872 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $79,369 in Plano.
Living in Plano vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Plano's housing index of 123 is higher Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $400,000 vs $419,000. The $19,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,236 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,700/mo in Plano compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Plano and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Plano 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 99 in Plano and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Plano vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Plano 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 $96,348 in Plano and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $88,393 and $83,010 respectively. Plano residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,248/month to housing in Plano vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Plano, median rent of $1,700/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 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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