Surprise AZ vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Toledo
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 3.4% | Surprise + |
| White | 75.0% | 58.7% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 8.9% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $47,532 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $27,407 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,300 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.5% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 24.5% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 21.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 52.7% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Toledo
1866
Toledo +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1866 | Toledo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Toledo
39.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Toledo
14.9%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 39.3% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 15.7% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 20.6% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.3% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 19.9% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Toledo
33.4 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 33.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Toledo
55.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Toledo
21.3 min
Toledo +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 21.3 min | Toledo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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