Concord NC 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)
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
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
Concord
106,518
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Concord
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Concord
36.2
Concord +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Concord
54.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Concord
15.8%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Concord
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,518 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 41.6 | Concord + |
| Foreign Born | 12.5% | 6.8% | Concord + |
| White | 54.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 22.1% | 4.8% | Concord + |
| Asian | 6.7% | 2.6% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Concord
$84,752
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Concord
$40,763
Concord +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Concord
$59,120
Surprise
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Concord
4.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Concord
8.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Concord
41.7%
Concord +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,752 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,763 | $39,604 | Concord + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.7% | 31.0% | Concord + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Concord
66.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $384,688 | $422,520 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
398
Concord +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Concord
1999
Concord +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Concord + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Concord + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
33.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.6%
Concord +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Concord
16.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Concord
10.5%
Surprise
10.5%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Concord
15.2%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Concord
12.5%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | Concord + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.5% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
60.4°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Concord
45.9 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Concord
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Concord
29.7 min
Concord +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Concord, NC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.7 min | 32.8 min | Concord + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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