Racine vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Racine
Surprise
The Verdict
Living in Racine costs 14.6% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Racine, you would need $87,784 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Racine has the same purchasing power as $87,784 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $64,078 in Racine.
Living in Racine vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Racine's housing index of 66 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $126,000 vs $419,000. The $293,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,044 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Racine compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $550.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Racine and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Racine 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 94 in Racine and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Racine vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 111 in Racine and 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,700 in Racine and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,568 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 $1,346/month to housing in Racine vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Racine, median rent of $1,025/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 39 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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