Jacksonville FL 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)
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 149,519 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 41.6 | Jacksonville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.8% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 51.2% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 30.1% | 4.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 4.9% | 2.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 12.0% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,981 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,269 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $59,120 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.9% | 31.0% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,396 | $422,520 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 450 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2150 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 70.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jacksonville
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Jacksonville +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.0 min | 32.8 min | Jacksonville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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