Fort Worth 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)
Fort Worth, TX
Texas · Population: 941,311
- Median HH Income$76,602
- Median Home Price$299,655
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+31.7%
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
Fort Worth
941,311
Fort Worth +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Worth
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Fort Worth
33.4
Fort Worth +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Fort Worth
17.0%
Fort Worth +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Fort Worth
47.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Fort Worth
19.5%
Fort Worth +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Fort Worth
5.2%
Fort Worth +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Fort Worth
34.6%
Fort Worth +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Fort Worth
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 149,519 | Fort Worth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 41.6 | Fort Worth + |
| Foreign Born | 17.0% | 6.8% | Fort Worth + |
| White | 47.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 19.5% | 4.8% | Fort Worth + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 2.6% | Fort Worth + |
| Hispanic | 34.6% | 19.2% | Fort Worth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Worth
$76,602
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Fort Worth
$37,157
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Worth
$63,758
Fort Worth +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Fort Worth
4.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Fort Worth
12.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Worth
31.7%
Fort Worth +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,602 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,157 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Fort Worth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.7% | 31.0% | Fort Worth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Worth
$299,655
Fort Worth +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Fort Worth
56.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,655 | $422,520 | Fort Worth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
442
Fort Worth +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Fort Worth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
34.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
12.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Worth
18.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
20.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
16.9%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Worth
13.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
65.8°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Worth
37.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Worth
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Worth
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Fort Worth, 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
Fort Worth
29.0 min
Fort Worth +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Fort Worth, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 32.8 min | Fort Worth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while fort Worth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,655. On public safety, Fort Worth 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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