Provo UT 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)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
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
Provo
114,303
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Provo
1.1%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | 41.6 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.8% | Provo + |
| White | 78.6% | 75.0% | Provo + |
| Black | 1.1% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $59,120 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | 31.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 450 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2150 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.2% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.9% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 10.4% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Provo, UT | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 32.8 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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