Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Boston
47.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 149,519 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 41.6 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 6.8% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 21.5% | 4.8% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.6% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $93,371 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $39,604 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 31.0% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 29.4% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 11.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.5% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 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, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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