1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Surprise, AZ
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Surprise, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,942 and +42% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Surprise
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Surprise
Compare Surprise's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tucson | $847 |
| 2 | Winslow | $958 |
| 3 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 4 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 5 | Arizona City | $1,028 |
| 6 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 7 | Green Valley | $1,140 |
| 8 | Tucson | $1,143 |
| 9 | Yuma | $1,143 |
| 10 | Show Low | $1,170 |
| 11 | Cottonwood | $1,190 |
| 12 | Glendale | $1,193 |
| 13 | Lake Havasu City | $1,210 |
| 14 | Mesa | $1,213 |
| 15 | Sierra Vista | $1,215 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in Arizona
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | $2,380 |
| 2 | Queen Creek | $2,260 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $2,240 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $2,163 |
| 5 | Litchfield Park | $2,140 |
| 6 | Buckeye | $2,055 |
| 7 | San Tan Valley | $2,030 |
| 8 | Surprise (this page) | $1,984 |
| 9 | Peoria | $1,953 |
| 10 | Fountain Hills | $1,950 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $1,900 |
| 12 | Tolleson | $1,850 |
| 13 | Flagstaff | $1,830 |
| 14 | Avondale | $1,810 |
| 15 | Waddell | $1,760 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Surprise.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City West, AZ | 4.4 mi | $1,590 | $-394 (-20%) |
| Waddell, AZ | 5.4 mi | $1,760 | $-224 (-11%) |
| El Mirage, AZ | 5.7 mi | $1,620 | $-364 (-18%) |
| Youngtown, AZ | 7.3 mi | $1,440 | $-544 (-27%) |
| Sun City, AZ | 7.5 mi | $1,630 | $-354 (-18%) |
| Litchfield Park, AZ | 8.1 mi | $2,140 | +$156 (+8%) |
| Peoria, AZ | 10.9 mi | $1,953 | $-31 (-2%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 13.6 mi | $1,193 | $-791 (-40%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 13.9 mi | $1,810 | $-174 (-9%) |
| Goodyear, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,344 | $-640 (-32%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 17 mi | $1,850 | $-134 (-7%) |
| Buckeye, AZ | 22.8 mi | $2,055 | +$71 (+4%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Surprise — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Surprise?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Surprise, Arizona is $1,984 per month. This is +2% higher than the citywide median of $1,942.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Surprise?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $79,360 ($6,613/month gross), which works out to roughly $38.15/hour at a full-time job.
Is Surprise expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Surprise's 1-bedroom median of $1,984 is +42% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 82th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Surprise rank for 1-bedroom rent in Arizona?
Among the 51 cities in Arizona with 1-bedroom data, Surprise ranks #44 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Surprise?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include Sun City West ($1,590), Waddell ($1,760), El Mirage ($1,620).