Norwalk CA 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 41.6 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 6.8% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.2% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 2.6% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 19.2% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $93,371 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 29.4% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | 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.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 32.8 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Norwalk. 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, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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