Surprise vs Tempe
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Surprise
Tempe
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 2.8% less than Tempe. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Surprise, you would need $77,184 in Tempe.
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 $77,184 in Tempe.
Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $72,877 in Surprise.
Living in Surprise vs Tempe
Housing Costs
Surprise's housing index of 105 is lower Tempe's 114, 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 Tempe, a monthly difference of $25.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise and 95 in Tempe. 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 $85,500 in Surprise and $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, 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 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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