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

Surprise

Arizona
126
VS

Richardson

Texas
128

Surprise and Richardson have a similar cost of living.

$1,917/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$1,825/mo ↓ 5%
$93,371/yr ↓ 3%
Median Income
$96,257/yr ↑ 3%
$396,000 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$405,600 ↑ 2%
$1,587/mo ↓ 12%
Owner Costs
$1,796/mo ↑ 13%
149,519
Population
118,269

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Surprise, AZ and Richardson, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 126 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $92/month cheaper in Richardson, saving renters about $1,104/year.

Median household income is $2,886/year higher in Richardson. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Surprise is $396,000 compared to $405,600 in Richardson.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Surprise vs Richardson — common questions

Is Surprise or Richardson cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Surprise is cheaper to live in with an index of 126 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Surprise and Richardson?
Median rent in Surprise is $1,917/month and in Richardson it's $1,825/month — a difference of $92/month.
Which city has higher income, Surprise or Richardson?
Median household income is $93,371 in Surprise and $96,257 in Richardson. Median household income is $2,886/year higher in Richardson.
How do taxes compare between Arizona and Texas?
Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to Surprise or Richardson?
It depends on your priorities. Surprise has a cost index of 126 with median rent of $1,917/mo, while Richardson has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,825/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Surprise details → View Richardson details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Surprise and Richardson

Surprise vs. Joliet Surprise vs. Naperville Surprise vs. Jackson Surprise vs. Pasadena Surprise vs. Escondido Surprise vs. Mesquite Richardson vs. Billings Richardson vs. Cambridge Richardson vs. Wilmington Richardson vs. North Charleston Richardson vs. Spring Hill Richardson vs. Clearwater