Surprise AZ vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Surprise
149,519
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Surprise
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Surprise
41.6
Yonkers
39.0
Yonkers +
Foreign Born
Surprise
6.8%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Surprise
4.8%
Yonkers
17.3%
Yonkers +
Asian
Surprise
2.6%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Surprise
19.2%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Surprise
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.6 | 39.0 | Yonkers + |
| Foreign Born | 6.8% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 75.0% | 38.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 4.8% | 17.3% | Yonkers + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 19.2% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Yonkers
$81,816
Per Capita Income
Surprise
$39,604
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Surprise
$59,120
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Surprise
31.0%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $93,371 | $81,816 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,604 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.4% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.8% | 14.7% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 31.0% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $422,520 | $685,544 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 79.0% | 47.2% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
450
Yonkers
434
Yonkers +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Surprise
2150
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 434 | Yonkers + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
29.4%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
Yonkers
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.5%
Surprise +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Surprise
14.9%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.4% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.4% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.2% | 15.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 12.7% | Surprise + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.9% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Surprise
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | 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 +
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Surprise
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Surprise
32.8 min
Surprise +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.8 min | 37.5 min | Surprise + |
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, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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