Maricopa, AZ vs Surprise, AZ

Maricopa, AZ and Surprise, AZ have a very similar cost of living, with only a 3.6% difference in their overall index. Maricopa 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 Maricopa is $1,919/month compared to $1,917/month in Surprise — a 0% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Surprise has cheaper rent, Maricopa actually has lower median home values ($338,600 vs $396,000).

Median household income in Maricopa is $94,208 compared to $93,371 in Surprise (+0.9%). Maricopa offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Maricopa spend roughly 24.4% of their income on rent, less than the 24.6% in Surprise.