Scottsdale AZ 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)
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
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
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Scottsdale
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Scottsdale
49.2
Surprise
41.6
Surprise +
Foreign Born
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Scottsdale
2.0%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Scottsdale
9.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Scottsdale
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 242,169 | 149,519 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 49.2 | 41.6 | Surprise + |
| Foreign Born | 11.2% | 6.8% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 81.8% | 75.0% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 2.0% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 5.1% | 2.6% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 9.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Scottsdale
$59,120
Surprise
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
7.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $107,372 | $93,371 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,697 | $39,604 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.1% | 7.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 61.5% | 31.0% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Scottsdale
$858,307
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Scottsdale
67.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $858,307 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 67.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
450
Surprise
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
2150
Surprise
2150
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
14.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
15.4%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 29.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 12.1% | 14.2% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 10.5% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 10.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Scottsdale
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Scottsdale, AZ | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 32.8 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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