Surprise AZ vs Wichita Falls TX — 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%
Wichita Falls, TX
Texas · Population: 102,558
- Median HH Income$58,568
- Median Home Price$174,763
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
102,558
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Wichita Falls
33.0
Wichita Falls +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Wichita Falls
7.2%
Wichita Falls +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
70.1%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Wichita Falls
12.9%
Wichita Falls +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Wichita Falls
2.7%
Wichita Falls +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Wichita Falls
22.4%
Wichita Falls +
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Wichita Falls
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 102,558 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 33.0 | Wichita Falls + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 7.2% | Wichita Falls + |
| White | 75.0% | 70.1% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 12.9% | Wichita Falls + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.7% | Wichita Falls + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 22.4% | Wichita Falls + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
$58,568
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
$31,987
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Wichita Falls
$63,758
Wichita Falls +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Wichita Falls
3.5%
Wichita Falls +
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
25.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $58,568 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $31,987 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $63,758 | Wichita Falls + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 3.5% | Wichita Falls + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 17.4% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 25.0% | Surprise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Wichita Falls
$174,763
Wichita Falls +
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
57.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $174,763 | Wichita Falls + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 57.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Wichita Falls
442
Wichita Falls +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
2339
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 442 | Wichita Falls + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2339 | Surprise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
14.9%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 35.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.6% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 18.8% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 16.9% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 17.8% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Wichita Falls
63.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Wichita Falls
28.9 in
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 28.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Wichita Falls
55.0%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Wichita Falls
15.8 min
Wichita Falls +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Wichita Falls, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 15.8 min | Wichita Falls + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while wichita Falls offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $174,763. On public safety, Wichita Falls is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Wichita Falls has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, 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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