Surprise AZ vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 75.0% | 39.1% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 11.6% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.5% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 14.5% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $580,173 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 41.1% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Washington
14.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 14.6% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 24.0% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Washington
32.8 min
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 32.8 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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