Austin, TX vs Surprise, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Austin leads in walk score (42 vs 21). Austin leads in average commute (26.8 min vs 30.5 min). Surprise leads in cost of living index (115 vs 129).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 967,862 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 21 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 3.0 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | R+3.5 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →