Sacramento 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)
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
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
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Sacramento
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Sacramento
35.7
Sacramento +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Sacramento
36.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Surprise
19.2%
Spanish at Home
Sacramento
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 149,519 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 41.6 | Sacramento + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 6.8% | Sacramento + |
| White | 36.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 12.4% | 4.8% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 2.6% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 29.5% | 19.2% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Sacramento
$83,753
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Sacramento
6.2%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Sacramento
14.4%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $83,753 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,300 | $39,604 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.4% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.4% | 31.0% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Sacramento
$480,548
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Sacramento
51.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $480,548 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Sacramento
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
30.0%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Sacramento
17.9%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Surprise
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Sacramento
11.9%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.0% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.2% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.5% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.9% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
61.0°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Sacramento
18.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Sacramento
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Sacramento, 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
Sacramento
27.0 min
Sacramento +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Sacramento, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.0 min | 32.8 min | Sacramento + |
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, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. 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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