Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
Gresham +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Gresham
4.4%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.6 | Gresham + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 6.8% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.4% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 2.6% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 19.2% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $59,120 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 450 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | 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.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
Gresham +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Gresham, OR | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 32.8 min | Gresham + |
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, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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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