Catalina Foothills, AZ vs Surprise, AZ

Catalina Foothills, AZ and Surprise, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.2% difference in their overall index. Catalina Foothills scores 123 while Surprise scores 127 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Catalina Foothills is $1,332/month compared to $1,917/month in Surprise — a 31% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Catalina Foothills has cheaper rent, Surprise actually has lower median home values ($396,000 vs $604,100).

Median household income in Catalina Foothills is $113,201 compared to $93,371 in Surprise (+21.2%). Catalina Foothills offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Catalina Foothills spend roughly 14.1% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Surprise.