Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Austin is 6% more expensive than Surprise.

$1,655/mo ↓ 14%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↑ 16%
$91,461/yr ↓ 2%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↑ 2%
$512,700 ↑ 29%
Home Value
$396,000 ↓ 23%
$1,747/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↓ 9%
967,862
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $262/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $3,144/year.

Median household income is $1,910/year higher in Surprise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Surprise — common questions

Is Austin or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Surprise?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $262/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Surprise?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $1,910/year higher in Surprise.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Surprise has a cost index of 126 with rent of $1,917/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Surprise details →

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