St. Louis MO 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)
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
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
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
St. Louis
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
St. Louis
36.6
St. Louis +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
St. Louis
6.6%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
St. Louis
45.7%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
St. Louis
5.1%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
St. Louis
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 149,519 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.6 | 41.6 | St. Louis + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 45.7% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 43.1% | 4.8% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 2.6% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
St. Louis
$55,279
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
St. Louis
$38,947
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
St. Louis
$58,527
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
St. Louis
5.1%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
St. Louis
19.8%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,279 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,947 | $39,604 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.8% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.2% | 31.0% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
St. Louis
45.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $185,100 | $422,520 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
501
Surprise
450
Surprise +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
St. Louis
2418
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 450 | Surprise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2150 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
36.8%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
13.2%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
St. Louis
18.8%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
17.9%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
St. Louis
16.8%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.8% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.5% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.9% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
St. Louis
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
St. Louis
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
St. Louis
24.0 min
St. Louis +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | St. Louis, MO | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.0 min | 32.8 min | St. Louis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Surprise is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. 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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