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Surprise, Arizona Retirement Guide
Retirement Score
Surprise, Arizona at a Glance
- Median Home Price
- $455,200
- State Income Tax
- State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.
- Avg January Low
- 71°F
- Cost of Living Index
- 96.3 (US avg = 100)
- RetireCityIQ Score
- 49 / 100
Overview
Explore the key retirement factors for Surprise, Arizona, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare quality, and climate data.
Cost of Living
Affordability Metrics
Surprise's cost of living is 3.700000000000003% below the national average. For a detailed breakdown of expenses, see our cost of living methodology.
Housing
Real Estate & Housing
10-Year Housing Stress Test (Estimate)
Estimate monthly homeowner carrying cost in Surprise using median home price and adjustable assumptions. Stress case applies +10% property tax, +20% insurance, +10% maintenance.
Estimated monthly carrying cost
$986
Stress-case monthly carrying cost
$1,108
Median home price used: $455,200
Median rent reference: $2,064 / month
Estimate includes property tax, insurance, maintenance reserve, and HOA. It excludes mortgage, utilities, and one-time transaction costs.
Budget validation
Calculate if your savings last in this city
Use RetireFree to test whether your portfolio can support retirement in Surprise, Arizona after local housing costs, taxes, healthcare, inflation, and withdrawal timing.
Open the RetireFree Calculator →Healthcare
Access & Quality
Quality of care and specialist availability are critical for a successful retirement. Surprise scores 16.2 out of 100 for healthcare access.
Care planning link
Find local assisted living in Surprise
If your city research includes aging parents, future care needs, or a move closer to family, compare local care options alongside housing and healthcare access.
Assisted living in Surprise →Taxes
State Tax Climate
Arizona has a tax environment that is moderate for retirees.Read more in our detailed Arizona tax guide.
Arizona 2026 Outlook
Arizona Retirement Tax Benefits 2026
Arizona does not tax Social Security benefits and generally has low property taxes compared with many coastal states. Other retirement income may still be taxable under Arizona's income-tax rules, and local sales taxes can vary by city and county.
For Surprise, compare the tax picture with housing costs, summer cooling bills, healthcare access, and insurance before treating Arizona as automatically lower-cost than another Sun Belt state.
Climate
Weather & Environment
With 354 sunny days a year and an average January low of 71°F, Surprise offers a mild winter climate.
Safety & Walkability
Community Safety
Walkability
Demographics
Population Profile
Diversity Breakdown
Frequently asked questions about retiring in Surprise
What is the cost of living in Surprise, Arizona for retirees?▾
The cost-of-living index is 96, roughly 4% below the national average of 100. Median home price is around $455,200.
Does Arizona tax Social Security or retirement income?▾
For Arizona residents: State income tax; Social Security fully exempt; limited pension exemption.
What is the climate like in Surprise, Arizona?▾
Surprise, Arizona has January average low around 71°F, July average high around 70°F. Climate normals are based on 30-year averages from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information.
What is healthcare access like in Surprise, Arizona?▾
Surprise scores 16/100 on the RetireCityIQ healthcare access index — a limited score. The index combines CMS hospital quality ratings, Medicare Advantage plan availability, and hospitals per 100,000 residents (KFF + CMS data).
Local Professionals
Financial Advisors
HILLSPRING FINANCIAL, INC.
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