Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Surprise
6.8%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Seattle +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 149,519 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.6 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 6.8% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 6.6% | 4.8% | Seattle + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 2.6% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Surprise
$93,371
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $93,371 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $39,604 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 31.0% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 29.4% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 11.2% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 10.5% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 10.4% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Seattle +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 32.8 min | Seattle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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