Surprise, AZ

Surprise AZ scores 86/100 on safety (well above average). Crime is about 58% below the national average. Most neighborhoods are fine for evening walks; still check the block you actually rent.

Detail: overall crime index 42 (100 = avg); violent crime index 28; property crime index 55. Indexes near 100 track a typical U.S. load. Higher means more crime pressure on that category.

School quality varies by neighborhood in Surprise. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP.

Typical rent in Surprise is about $2,033/month (expensive). At $2,033/month for a typical unit, you need about $73,188+ in household income to rent comfortably without stretching (3× rent × 12). Typical home value: $435,100.

Median household income is $96,711, property taxes run about 1.45%, and homes typically sell in around 28 days. Local median income ($96,711) clears the $73,188 comfort line for that rent.

Walk Score 68 (Somewhat Walkable); transit score 42 (Some Transit).

Average temperature is about 86°F (highs near 93°F, lows near 78°F).

Midafternoon outdoor time is limited most of summer without shade and water. Plan on summer electric bills around $200–$300/month for a typical apartment if you run AC hard. If you visit, go in July or August. That is the real test.

Who tends to thrive in Surprise: (1) Households that want quieter streets (safety sits at 86/100) (2) Dual-income households (at $2,033/month, the rent math works much better with two salaries) (3) People who genuinely love heat and do not mind living indoors June through September (highs near 93°F) (4) Tech and finance workers (the job market is real and local pay near $96,711 helps carry housing costs)

Who should look elsewhere: (1) Single earners under $70k (the rent-to-income ratio is tight at $2,033/month) (2) People who need outdoor time year-round for their mental health (summers lock you inside for 3–4 months; highs near 93°F) (3) Anyone stretching past 40% of take-home on housing at $2,033/month

Income sniff test: clear about $73,188 household income for $2,033/month rent. Under that, pick a cheaper ZIP or a different city.

Surprise holds up well on the core metrics we publish. Safety at 86/100 makes it a reasonable choice for households who can manage $2,033/month rent. Verify school ratings for your target ZIP separately.