2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Surprise, AZ vs San Jose, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Jose or is it cheaper to live in Surprise?
- San Jose is 104.4% more expensive than Surprise.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Jose or Surprise?
- San Jose housing costs are 247.8% more expensive than Surprise housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Surprise or is Health Care more affordable in San Jose.
- Health related expenses are 16.4% more in San Jose.
 Surprise, AZSan Jose, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock231.0100
 Food & Groceries97.4  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock107.7100
 Housing123.2  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,184,400$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock151.0100
 Miscellaneous105.7  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Surprise    52 Reviews

I have lived in Surprise, Az. For the past 21 years. One of the best cities to live in Az. From the police department to maintaining the streets & freeways. One thing I  More

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I am an Arizona native - 55 years - and have lived in Surprise since 2003. I wouldn't live anywhere else! I have watched this place grow and prosper. It is very family  More

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Over 11 years ago

The city of surprise is a beautiful place. It would not be a good place to live however. They have a young eager police force. You are taking a BIG risk driving  More

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Reviews for San Jose    90 Reviews

I've lived in west San Jose/Cambrian, between Los Gatos and Almaden SJ since 1997. This side of town somehow avoided the erosion of the American dream. Houses are  More

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I lived in San Jose for 40 years. That’s during the most exciting time when the Silicon Valley was booming with real technology and San Jose was ranked as the safest big  More

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Over 4 years ago

I've lived in San Jose, CA for 25 years. This city is being over run with crime and gangs. The cost of living is very high. Granted, you are so close to mountains,  More

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