Surprise AZ vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 75.0% | 50.7% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 8.6% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $55,931 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $35,704 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 23.2% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 39.5% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 34.1% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.3% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 13.2% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 16.7% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.2% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 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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