Surprise vs San Diego: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Surprise, Arizona compare to San Diego, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Surprise is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 55% lower in Surprise compared to San Diego, while rent is 12% lower. State income tax is 2.5% in AZ vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Surprise, AZ | San Diego, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $352,600 | $783,300 | -55.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,822 | $2,080 | -12.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $87,756 | $98,657 | -11.0% |
| Per Capita Income | $37,518 | $51,368 | -27.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 2.5% | 13.3% | -81.2% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.4% | 8.7% | -3.6% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 145,591 | 1,383,987 | -89.5% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Surprise
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Diego
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Surprise costs $352,600 compared to $783,300 in San Diego — a 55% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,822/mo in Surprise vs $2,080/mo in San Diego.
- Income: Median household income is $87,756 in Surprise and $98,657 in San Diego.
- Taxes: State income tax is 2.5% in Arizona vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).