Chandler, AZ vs Surprise, AZ

Chandler, AZ and Surprise, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.1% difference in their overall index. Chandler scores 130 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 Chandler is $1,806/month compared to $1,917/month in Surprise — a 6% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chandler has cheaper rent, Surprise actually has lower median home values ($396,000 vs $469,800).

Median household income in Chandler is $103,691 compared to $93,371 in Surprise (+11.1%). While Chandler is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Chandler spend roughly 20.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Surprise.