Dallas 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)
Dallas, TX
Texas · Population: 1,299,553
- Median HH Income$67,760
- Median Home Price$311,957
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+37.4%
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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Dallas +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Dallas
41.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Dallas +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 149,519 | Dallas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.6 | Dallas + |
| Foreign Born | 23.4% | 6.8% | Dallas + |
| White | 41.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 23.7% | 4.8% | Dallas + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 2.6% | Dallas + |
| Hispanic | 41.9% | 19.2% | Dallas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Dallas +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Dallas +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,760 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,138 | $39,604 | Dallas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Dallas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.4% | 31.0% | Dallas + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $311,957 | $422,520 | Dallas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Dallas + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.7% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Dallas, 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
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 32.8 min | Dallas + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 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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