Surprise vs Wilmington
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Surprise
Wilmington
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 0.0%, with Surprise being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Surprise has equivalent purchasing power to $75,000 in Wilmington.
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 $75,000 in Wilmington.
Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $75,000 in Surprise.
Living in Surprise vs Wilmington
Housing Costs
Surprise's housing index of 105 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $419,000 vs $320,000. The $99,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,432 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Surprise compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise and 106 in Wilmington. 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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 9 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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