Surprise AZ vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Tucson
5.0%
Tucson +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 75.0% | 58.2% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 5.0% | Tucson + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Tucson
$59,120
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $54,546 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $31,152 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $59,120 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.4% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 18.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 30.2% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 51.7% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Tucson
450
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Tucson
2150
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, 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%
Surprise +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 33.5% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.5% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.3% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 15.7% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 12.5% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, 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
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson 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 Tucson 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Surprise, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Surprise, AZChicago, IL vs Surprise, AZHouston, TX vs Surprise, AZPhoenix, AZ vs Surprise, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Surprise, AZ