Pueblo CO 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)
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
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
Pueblo
111,514
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Pueblo
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Pueblo
38.1
Pueblo +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Pueblo
4.0%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Pueblo
70.3%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Pueblo
2.7%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Pueblo
0.8%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Pueblo
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,514 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 41.6 | Pueblo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.0% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 70.3% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 2.7% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 19.2% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Pueblo
$55,305
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Pueblo
$30,949
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Pueblo
5.9%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Pueblo
19.2%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Pueblo
22.8%
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,305 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,949 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $59,120 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.2% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.8% | 31.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Pueblo
60.8%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $286,326 | $422,520 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.8% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
512
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Pueblo
3234
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
33.5%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
13.5%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Pueblo
18.0%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
18.9%
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Pueblo
15.1%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.9% | 10.5% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
53.7°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Pueblo
13.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Pueblo
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Pueblo, CO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.1 min | 32.8 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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