Surprise vs Yuma
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Surprise
Yuma
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 12.0%, with Yuma being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Surprise has equivalent purchasing power to $66,990 in Yuma.
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 $66,990 in Yuma.
Conversely, $75,000 in Yuma equals $83,967 in Surprise.
Living in Surprise vs Yuma
Housing Costs
Surprise's housing index of 105 is higher Yuma's 82, translating to median home prices of $419,000 vs $284,000. The $135,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,772 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,575/mo in Surprise compared to $1,100/mo in Yuma, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Surprise and 101 in Yuma. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Surprise vs $480/month in Yuma. 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 102 in Yuma. Monthly utility bills average approximately $408 in Surprise vs $408 in Yuma. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 97 in Surprise and 87 in Yuma. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $54,100 in Yuma. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,010 and $58,804 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 $1,262/month in Yuma. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo fits within this budget. In Yuma, median rent of $1,100/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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