Cost of Living: Irvine, CA vs Surprise, AZ (2026)

Irvine

California
256
VS

Surprise

Arizona
126

Irvine is 103% more expensive than Surprise.

$2,893/mo ↑ 51%
Median Rent
$1,917/mo ↓ 34%
$129,647/yr ↑ 39%
Median Income
$93,371/yr ↓ 28%
$1,115,400 ↑ 182%
Home Value
$396,000 ↓ 64%
$2,904/mo ↑ 83%
Owner Costs
$1,587/mo ↓ 45%
308,160
Population
149,519

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Irvine, CA and Surprise, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 256 and 126 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $976/month cheaper in Surprise, saving renters about $11,712/year.

Median household income is $36,276/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Irvine is $1,115,400 compared to $396,000 in Surprise.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Surprise slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Irvine vs Surprise — common questions

Is Irvine or Surprise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Irvine and Surprise?
Median rent in Irvine is $2,893/month and in Surprise it's $1,917/month — a difference of $976/month.
Which city has higher income, Irvine or Surprise?
Median household income is $129,647 in Irvine and $93,371 in Surprise. Median household income is $36,276/year higher in Irvine.
How do taxes compare between California and Arizona?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Irvine or Surprise?
It depends on your priorities. Irvine has a cost index of 256 with median rent of $2,893/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 Irvine details → View Surprise details →

More Comparisons

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