Salem vs Surprise
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Salem
Surprise
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 1.0%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Salem has equivalent purchasing power to $74,279 in Surprise.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Salem has the same purchasing power as $74,279 in Surprise.
Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $75,728 in Salem.
Living in Salem vs Surprise
Housing Costs
Salem's housing index of 118 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: $1,275/mo in Salem compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $300.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Salem and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Salem 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 97 in Salem and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Salem vs $408 in Surprise. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Salem 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 $66,400 in Salem and $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,846 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 $1,549/month to housing in Salem vs $1,995/month in Surprise. In Salem, median rent of $1,275/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 13 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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