Sacramento vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Sacramento
Surprise
💡 The Verdict
Surprise is 20% cheaper than Sacramento overall. A $75,000 salary in Sacramento is equivalent to $59,766 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Sacramento (left) vs Surprise (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Sacramento versus Surprise. Differences shown from Sacramento perspective.
| Item | Sacramento | Surprise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,260/mo | $640/mo | +$620.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $960/mo | +$740.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,230/mo | $1,330/mo | +$900.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $3.03 | $3.00 | +$0.03 |
| Milk (gallon) | $3.90 | $3.47 | +$0.43 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.22 | $2.77 | +$0.45 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.98 | $5.54 | +$0.44 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.55 | $3.55 | $0.00 |
| Restaurant Meal | $20.36 | $15.22 | +$5.14 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Sacramento has the same purchasing power as $59,766 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $94,118 in Sacramento.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $2775 difference is driven by California having a higher state income tax rate. California details → · Arizona details →
Reading These Numbers: Sacramento (128) vs Surprise (102)
Sacramento at 128 is 28% above the US average, while Surprise at 102 is 2% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Sacramento, the composite index of 128 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 163, followed by groceries (104), utilities (108), transportation (111), and healthcare (106). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Sacramento and $960/mo in Surprise, the annual rent difference is approximately $8,880.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $44,400.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $152,000.0 difference in median home prices between Sacramento and Surprise translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Sacramento vs Surprise
Choosing between Sacramento and Surprise involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Beyond the numbers shown above, quality of life differences between Sacramento and Surprise can meaningfully affect your financial picture in ways the index does not capture. Commute time translates to fuel costs and vehicle depreciation. Climate affects utility bills seasonally. Access to public parks and free cultural venues reduces entertainment spending. Consider these secondary financial effects alongside the direct cost comparisons when making your final decision.