Surprise vs Warwick
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Surprise
Warwick
The Verdict
Living in Surprise costs 2.8% less than Warwick. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Surprise, you would need $77,184 in Warwick.
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 Warwick.
Conversely, $75,000 in Warwick equals $72,877 in Surprise.
Living in Surprise vs Warwick
Housing Costs
Surprise's housing index of 105 is lower Warwick's 127, translating to median home prices of $419,000 vs $413,000. The $6,000 difference in home prices means roughly $396 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Surprise compared to $1,425/mo in Warwick, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 102 in Warwick. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise vs $485/month in Warwick. 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 112 in Warwick. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $448 in Warwick. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise and 103 in Warwick. 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 $74,600 in Warwick. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $70,377 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 $1,741/month in Warwick. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Warwick, median rent of $1,425/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 22 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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