Spokane 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Surprise
75.0%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Surprise
4.8%
Surprise +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 149,519 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 41.6 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 81.0% | 75.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 4.8% | Surprise + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.6% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $59,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 31.0% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $422,520 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 450 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
35.3%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 11.2% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Spokane, 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
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 32.8 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. 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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