Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Chandler +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Chandler +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 149,519 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 41.6 | Chandler + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 6.8% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 5.2% | 4.8% | Chandler + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.6% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 19.2% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Chandler +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Surprise
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Chandler +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Chandler +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $93,371 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $39,604 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 4.2% | Chandler + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 7.8% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 31.0% | Chandler + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Surprise
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Surprise
2150
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Chandler +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 29.4% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 11.2% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 14.2% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 10.5% | Chandler + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Chandler +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 32.8 min | Chandler + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, 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 450 in Chandler. Chandler has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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