How much does it cost to rent in Surprise, AZ?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Surprise, AZ is $1,927. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Surprise cheaper than other Arizona cities?

Surprise falls in the middle range for Arizona, ranking #20 out of 51 cities at $1,927/mo.

When was Surprise rent data last updated?

Surprise rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · AZ

Surprise

Name: Average Rent Prices in Surprise, AZ
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 154,948·20th most expensive in Arizona·Rental market data updated monthly for Surprise, AZ

Median rent (all units)

$1,927/mo

Year-over-Year

+1.7%

Month-over-Month

+0.3%

vs US Median

-$38

Stable (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Surprise · $1,927

More expensive than 54% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

86/100

Great value

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 18% below what Surprise's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$1,927/mo

Expected by trend

$2,351/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Surprise's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,808

1 BR

$1,984

2 BR

$2,304

3 BR

$3,100

4 BR+

$3,472

Research median

$2,304/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$23,124/yr

At $1,927/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (1.7% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+1.7% YoY, +0.3% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Surprise, AZ is majority owner-occupied, has a large retiree population, has a median income above the national average, 30.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

154,948

Median income

$96,711

Median age

41.4

Renters

20.9%

Age distribution

23.1%

18.6%

25.3%

22.2%

Under 1823.1%

18–3418.6%

35–5425.3%

55–6410.8%

65+22.2%

Gender

47.5%

52.5%

Male47.5%

Female52.5%

Race & ethnicity

71.7%

20%

White71.7%

Black4.6%

Hispanic20%

Asian2.6%

Other1.1%

Education (25+)

25.3%

38.4%

30.5%

No HS diploma5.8%

HS diploma25.3%

Some college38.4%

Bachelor's+30.5%

Housing tenure

79.1%

20.9%

Owner79.1%

Renter20.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Surprise, AZ has changed in 5 years

Rent

$1,656 → $1,927

up 16.4%

Income

$76,623 → $96,711

up 26.2%

Population

141,875 → 154,948

up 9.2%

Renter share

23.6% → 20.9%

-2.7 pts

Bachelor's+

30.6% → 30.5%

-0.1 pts

Since 2021, the typical rent in Surprise, AZ has increased from $1,656 to $1,927, a 16.4% change over five years. Census figures show median household income at $96,711 today, compared with $76,623 five years earlier. On paper, paychecks moved up faster than rent, which softens the affordability squeeze versus the 2021 baseline. The population has grown by 9.2% since 2021, moving from about 141,875 residents to roughly 154,948. Renters now make up 20.9% of households, compared with 23.6% five years ago. The combined trend lines point to a market that has changed measurably from where it stood in early 2021.

Community

Discussions about Surprise

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View Surprise rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Surprise on your salary?

At $1,927/mo, how Surprise rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $91,646/yr · Rent = 25.2% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $65,068/yr · Rent = 35.5% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $74,952/yr · Rent = 30.9% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $133,967/yr · Rent = 17.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $171,176/yr · Rent = 13.5% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $60,926/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

Truck Driver

Avg $55,009/yr · Rent = 42% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $67,803/yr · Rent = 34.1% income

stretched

By apartment size

Surprise rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Surprise. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Surprise

About renting in Surprise, AZ

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Surprise is $1,927/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,808/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,304/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,984/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,100/mo.

At 24% of local median household income ($96,711/yr), Surprise ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 1.7% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Surprise an affordable city for renters?

Surprise is considered very affordable for renters. At $1,927/mo, rent takes approximately 24% of the local median household income ($96,711/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Surprise falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Surprise?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $77,000/year (~$37/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $1,927/mo in Surprise. The local median household income is $96,711/yr, meaning the typical Surprise household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Surprise?

Rent in Surprise has increased 1.7% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Surprise neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Surprise are 85378 ($1,608/mo), 85374 ($1,665/mo), and 85379 ($1,984/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Surprise is $1,927/mo.

How does Surprise rent compare to other cities in Arizona?

Surprise is middle-of-the-pack for Arizona for rent, ranking #20 out of 51 tracked cities at $1,927/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Surprise?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Surprise ($1,927/mo): Youngtown ($1,417/mo), Sun City ($1,737/mo).

What percentage of Surprise residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 20.9% of Surprise households are renters, while 79.1% are owner-occupied. Surprise leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.