Rancho Cucamonga 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)
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
California · Population: 174,693
- Median HH Income$109,511
- Median Home Price$791,317
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
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
Rancho Cucamonga
174,693
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Rancho Cucamonga
37.9
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Rancho Cucamonga
21.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Rancho Cucamonga
44.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Rancho Cucamonga
8.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Rancho Cucamonga
15.4%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Rancho Cucamonga
38.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 174,693 | 149,519 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 41.6 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Foreign Born | 21.1% | 6.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| White | 44.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 8.3% | 4.8% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Asian | 15.4% | 2.6% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Hispanic | 38.5% | 19.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$109,511
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Rancho Cucamonga
$45,626
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Rancho Cucamonga
$77,230
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
5.8%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
8.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Rancho Cucamonga
37.3%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $109,511 | $93,371 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,626 | $39,604 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.3% | 31.0% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Rancho Cucamonga
$791,317
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Rancho Cucamonga
63.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $791,317 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Rancho Cucamonga
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
30.0%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.5%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Rancho Cucamonga
16.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
8.8%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
15.8%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Rancho Cucamonga
10.1%
Rancho Cucamonga +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.2% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 10.5% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 10.4% | Rancho Cucamonga + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Rancho Cucamonga
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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.)
Rancho Cucamonga
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Rancho Cucamonga
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, 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
Rancho Cucamonga
34.6 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.6 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rancho Cucamonga leads in median household income at $109,511, 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 Rancho Cucamonga. 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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