Surprise AZ
Arizona · Pop. 154,948
Surprise, AZ: median household income of $96,711, median rent of $2,033/mo, 4.3% unemployment. Our verdict: It Depends.
Score Breakdown
Key Metrics
Median Income
$96,711
per year
Median Rent
$2,033
per month
Median Home
$435k
home value
Unemployment
4.3%
of labor force
Poverty Rate
8.6%
below poverty line
Avg. Commute
30 min
one way
City Reality Check balanced
"Surprise, AZ Reality Check"
In Surprise, the rent-to-income burden runs around 25% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $96,711 and median rent is $2,033/month. 53% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $435,100 — that's 4.5× the median income. 79% of households own their home — unusually high for a major US city. Residents put down roots here. Employment picture: 4.30% unemployment — a healthy job market. Poverty rate: 8.6%. Average commute: 30 minutes — acceptable. Surprise was founded in 1937 — that's 89 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 105.9 sq miles at 1,464 people/sq mile — sprawling. Elevation: 1,175 ft — elevated terrain. RoastMyCity overall score: 65/100 — It Depends.