Centennial CO 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)
Centennial, CO
Colorado · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$650,791
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
6.8%
White
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 149,519 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 41.6 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 6.8% | - |
| White | N/A | 75.0% | - |
| Black | N/A | 4.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 19.2% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Centennial
$76,653
Centennial +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $93,371 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $39,604 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Centennial + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 31.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Centennial
$650,791
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
79.0%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $650,791 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 79.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
512
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Centennial
3234
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
23.1%
Centennial +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Centennial
7.3%
Centennial +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Centennial
13.9%
Centennial +
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Centennial
6.9%
Centennial +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Centennial
18.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Centennial
8.0%
Centennial +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.1% | 29.4% | Centennial + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.3% | 11.2% | Centennial + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.9% | 14.2% | Centennial + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.9% | 10.5% | Centennial + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 10.4% | Centennial + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
49.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Centennial
17.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Centennial
6.2 µg/m³
Centennial +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Centennial
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Centennial + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Centennial
N/A
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Centennial, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 32.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 512 in Centennial. Centennial has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Centennial scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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