Surprise vs Tacoma

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Surprise has the same purchasing power as $85,194 in Tacoma.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tacoma equals $66,026 in Surprise.

Living in Surprise vs Tacoma

Housing Costs

Surprise's housing index of 105 is lower Tacoma's 140, translating to median home prices of $419,000 vs $400,000. 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: $1,575/mo in Surprise compared to $1,600/mo in Tacoma, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 105 in Tacoma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise vs $499/month in Tacoma. 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 102 in Surprise and 108 in Tacoma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $432 in Tacoma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise and 106 in Tacoma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $85,500 in Surprise and $58,974 in Tacoma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $50,405 respectively. Surprise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,995/month to housing in Surprise vs $1,376/month in Tacoma. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Tacoma, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 35 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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