Surprise vs Vienna

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 $64,078 in Vienna.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vienna equals $87,784 in Surprise.

Living in Surprise vs Vienna

Housing Costs

Surprise's housing index of 105 is equal to Vienna's 105, translating to median home prices of $419,000 vs $395,000. The $24,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,560 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Surprise compared to $1,275/mo in Vienna, a monthly difference of $300.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 85 in Vienna. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise vs $404/month in Vienna. Vienna offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $852/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 102 in Surprise and 98 in Vienna. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $392 in Vienna. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise and 82 in Vienna. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,000 in Vienna. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $54,545 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 $1,120/month in Vienna. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Vienna, median rent of $1,275/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Groceries, where the gap is 15 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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