New Braunfels 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)
New Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
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
New Braunfels
267
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Braunfels
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
New Braunfels
39.4
New Braunfels +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
Surprise
6.8%
White
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
New Braunfels
0.0%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
New Braunfels
0.0%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
New Braunfels
15.7%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
New Braunfels
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 267 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 41.6 | New Braunfels + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 6.8% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 84.3% | 75.0% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 0.0% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 0.0% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 15.7% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Braunfels
$74,643
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
New Braunfels
$21,360
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
New Braunfels
N/A
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
New Braunfels
1.8%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $74,643 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,360 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 7.8% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 1.8% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
Surprise
79.0%
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $352,129 | $422,520 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 90.8% | 79.0% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
2339
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 450 | New Braunfels + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
34.6%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Braunfels
16.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
15.2%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
19.1%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Braunfels
11.0%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.6% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.2% | New Braunfels + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Braunfels
34.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Braunfels
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | New Braunfels, 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
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | New Braunfels, TX | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.6 min | 32.8 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. 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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