Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Houston
35.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 149,519 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.6 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 6.8% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 22.9% | 4.8% | Houston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 2.6% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 19.2% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $39,604 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 31.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $422,520 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
Houston +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Houston, 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
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Houston, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 32.8 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston 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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