Surprise

Surprise, Arizona Overview

With a composite score of 61.6/100 and a A grade, Surprise ranks #4 of 20 cities in Arizona. Its strongest showing is in Growth (94/100), while Environment (26/100) represents its largest gap.

Income & Employment in Surprise

Surprise’s median household income of $89,560 is 20% above the Arizona median of $74,568, and its 3.3% unemployment rate undercuts the state’s 4.3%. That economic strength is drawing residents — the population grew 5.3% recently.

Safety in Surprise

Surprise’s violent crime rate of 100.4 per 100,000 is well below both the Arizona rate of 430 and national norms, making safety one of the city’s defining features. The property crime rate is 1257.7 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Surprise

Surprise has a cost of living index of 105.5 (where 100 equals the national average), slightly above the national benchmark. The median home value is $396,000. Median monthly rent is $1,917.

Health & Wellness in Surprise

The adult obesity rate in Surprise is 29.4% (CDC PLACES). The diabetes prevalence rate is 11.2%. Residents average 14.2 poor mental health days per month. Arizona ranks #33 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Surprise

Surprise’s high school graduation rate of 93% is well above average, reflecting strong local school performance. With a student-teacher ratio of 35:1, class sizes tend to be larger than the national median. Per-pupil spending is $10,066. The city has 28 public schools serving 27,923 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Surprise

Summers in Surprise are hot, averaging 93.7°F. Summers average 93.7°F. Winters average 53.2°F. The area is arid, receiving only 9.6 inches of precipitation annually.

Frequently Asked Questions