Surprise AZ vs Tacoma WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 75.0% | 59.4% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 13.1% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $83,857 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.3% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 12.0% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $496,966 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 56.5% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 3409 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 37.3% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.7% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.8% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Tacoma 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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