Everett WA 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)
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
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
Everett
111,083
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Everett
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Everett
37.1
Everett +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Everett
21.6%
Everett +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Everett
61.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Everett
6.5%
Everett +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Everett
10.0%
Everett +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Everett
17.3%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Everett
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,083 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.1 | 41.6 | Everett + |
| Foreign Born | 21.6% | 6.8% | Everett + |
| White | 61.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 6.5% | 4.8% | Everett + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.6% | Everett + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Everett
$81,502
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Everett
$44,115
Everett +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Everett
$76,120
Everett +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Everett
5.4%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Everett
12.1%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Everett
28.9%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,502 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,115 | $39,604 | Everett + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Everett + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.1% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.9% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Everett
$665,406
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Everett
50.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $665,406 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
383
Everett +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Everett
3409
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Everett + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
32.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.4%
Everett +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Everett
17.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Everett
9.8%
Everett +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Everett
16.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Everett
11.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.2% | Everett + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 10.5% | Everett + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
51.8°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Everett
38.4 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 38.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Everett
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Everett
28.9 min
Everett +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Everett, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.9 min | 32.8 min | Everett + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Everett is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 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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