Bellevue WA 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)
Bellevue, WA
Washington · Population: 151,199
- Median HH Income$161,300
- Median Home Price$1,527,243
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+71.4%
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
Bellevue
151,199
Bellevue +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bellevue
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Bellevue
38.3
Bellevue +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Bellevue
42.1%
Bellevue +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Bellevue
45.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Bellevue
2.2%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Bellevue
41.0%
Bellevue +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Bellevue
8.5%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Bellevue
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 151,199 | 149,519 | Bellevue + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.3 | 41.6 | Bellevue + |
| Foreign Born | 42.1% | 6.8% | Bellevue + |
| White | 45.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 2.2% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 41.0% | 2.6% | Bellevue + |
| Hispanic | 8.5% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bellevue
$161,300
Bellevue +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Bellevue
$92,441
Bellevue +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bellevue
$76,120
Bellevue +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Bellevue
4.0%
Bellevue +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Bellevue
7.3%
Bellevue +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bellevue
71.4%
Bellevue +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $161,300 | $93,371 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Income | $92,441 | $39,604 | Bellevue + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Bellevue + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.0% | 4.2% | Bellevue + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.3% | 7.8% | Bellevue + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 71.4% | 31.0% | Bellevue + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bellevue
$1,527,243
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Bellevue
51.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,527,243 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
383
Bellevue +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bellevue
3409
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Bellevue + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
18.8%
Bellevue +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
6.9%
Bellevue +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bellevue
12.5%
Bellevue +
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.4%
Bellevue +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
15.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bellevue
5.5%
Bellevue +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 18.8% | 29.4% | Bellevue + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 11.2% | Bellevue + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.5% | 14.2% | Bellevue + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 5.4% | 10.5% | Bellevue + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 5.5% | 10.4% | Bellevue + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bellevue
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bellevue
7.5 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bellevue
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bellevue
25.6 min
Bellevue +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Bellevue, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.6 min | 32.8 min | Bellevue + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bellevue leads in median household income at $161,300, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Bellevue is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Bellevue has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bellevue scores better with a lower obesity rate of 18.8%.
Compare More Cities
Bellevue, WA vs New York, NYBellevue, WA vs Los Angeles, CABellevue, WA vs Chicago, ILBellevue, WA vs Houston, TXBellevue, WA vs Phoenix, AZBellevue, WA vs Philadelphia, PA