Anaheim CA 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)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
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
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Anaheim +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 149,519 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 41.6 | Anaheim + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 6.8% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 2.5% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 2.6% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 19.2% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Anaheim +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Anaheim + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 29.4% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Anaheim +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 32.8 min | Anaheim + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. 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, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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