Carrollton 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Carrollton +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Carrollton +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 41.6 | Carrollton + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 6.8% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 9.2% | 4.8% | Carrollton + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 2.6% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 19.2% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Carrollton +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Carrollton +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $93,371 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $39,604 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 4.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 7.8% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 31.0% | Carrollton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $422,520 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Carrollton +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Carrollton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Carrollton +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Carrollton +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.2% | Carrollton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.4% | Carrollton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Carrollton, 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
Carrollton
26.2 min
Carrollton +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 32.8 min | Carrollton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Carrollton is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Carrollton, TX vs New York, NYCarrollton, TX vs Los Angeles, CACarrollton, TX vs Chicago, ILCarrollton, TX vs Houston, TXCarrollton, TX vs Phoenix, AZCarrollton, TX vs Philadelphia, PA