Allen TX vs Surprise AZ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Allen +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Allen
55.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Allen
10.6%
Allen +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 41.6 | Allen + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 6.8% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 10.6% | 4.8% | Allen + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 2.6% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $93,371 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $39,604 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 7.8% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 31.0% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Allen +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Allen + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.2% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 10.5% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 10.4% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Allen +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Allen, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 32.8 min | Allen + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Allen is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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