Surprise AZ vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Tempe
7.8%
Tempe +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 75.0% | 60.1% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 7.8% | Tempe + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Tempe
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $77,643 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 5.7% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 16.2% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $468,328 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 41.6% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Tempe
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Tempe
2150
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 450 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2150 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 16.6% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 10.7% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 18.3% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
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, Tempe is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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