San Francisco 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)
San Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
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
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Francisco
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
San Francisco
39.7
San Francisco +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
Surprise
6.8%
White
San Francisco
40.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
San Francisco
5.1%
San Francisco +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
San Francisco
15.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
San Francisco
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 149,519 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 39.7 | 41.6 | San Francisco + |
| Foreign Born | 34.2% | 6.8% | San Francisco + |
| White | 40.5% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 5.1% | 4.8% | San Francisco + |
| Asian | 35.0% | 2.6% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 15.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
San Francisco
5.6%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
San Francisco
10.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $141,446 | $93,371 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $90,285 | $39,604 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.1% | 31.0% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
San Francisco
38.5%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,369,171 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
503
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Francisco
2388
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Francisco
14.5%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
19.6%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 29.4% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.2% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.5% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.6% | 10.5% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.6% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 10.4% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
55.3°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Francisco
20.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Francisco
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Francisco, 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
San Francisco
33.9 min
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.9 min | 32.8 min | Surprise + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 San Francisco. 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, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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