Oklahoma City OK 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)
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
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
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Oklahoma City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Oklahoma City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 688,693 | 149,519 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 41.6 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.0% | 6.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 58.4% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 13.4% | 4.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 21.7% | 19.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,702 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,109 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.0% | 31.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $207,961 | $422,520 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.1% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
2375
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 450 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.6 min | 32.8 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 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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