Studio Apartment Rent in Surprise, AZ
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Surprise, Arizona as of October 2026. That's +7% lower than the citywide median of $1,942 and +40% above the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Surprise
Compare Surprise's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Tucson | $713 |
| 2 | Winslow | $903 |
| 3 | Arizona City | $942 |
| 4 | Sierra Vista | $955 |
| 5 | Bullhead City | $1,010 |
| 6 | Cottonwood | $1,010 |
| 7 | Green Valley | $1,020 |
| 8 | Kingman | $1,020 |
| 9 | Tucson | $1,022 |
| 10 | Prescott | $1,073 |
| 11 | Fort Mohave | $1,080 |
| 12 | Glendale | $1,089 |
| 13 | Show Low | $1,100 |
| 14 | Mesa | $1,105 |
| 15 | Phoenix | $1,131 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in Arizona
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthem | $2,170 |
| 2 | Queen Creek | $2,060 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $2,043 |
| 4 | Scottsdale | $1,972 |
| 5 | Litchfield Park | $1,950 |
| 6 | Buckeye | $1,870 |
| 7 | San Tan Valley | $1,850 |
| 8 | Surprise (this page) | $1,808 |
| 9 | Peoria | $1,780 |
| 10 | Fountain Hills | $1,780 |
| 11 | Maricopa | $1,730 |
| 12 | Tolleson | $1,690 |
| 13 | Flagstaff | $1,670 |
| 14 | Avondale | $1,650 |
| 15 | Waddell | $1,604 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Surprise.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun City West, AZ | 4.4 mi | $1,450 | $-358 (-20%) |
| Waddell, AZ | 5.4 mi | $1,604 | $-204 (-11%) |
| El Mirage, AZ | 5.7 mi | $1,480 | $-328 (-18%) |
| Youngtown, AZ | 7.3 mi | $1,320 | $-488 (-27%) |
| Sun City, AZ | 7.5 mi | $1,490 | $-318 (-18%) |
| Litchfield Park, AZ | 8.1 mi | $1,950 | +$142 (+8%) |
| Peoria, AZ | 10.9 mi | $1,780 | $-28 (-2%) |
| Glendale, AZ | 13.6 mi | $1,089 | $-719 (-40%) |
| Avondale, AZ | 13.9 mi | $1,650 | $-158 (-9%) |
| Goodyear, AZ | 14.2 mi | $1,223 | $-585 (-32%) |
| Tolleson, AZ | 17 mi | $1,690 | $-118 (-7%) |
| Buckeye, AZ | 22.8 mi | $1,870 | +$62 (+3%) |
Studio rent in Surprise — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Surprise?
As of October 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Surprise, Arizona is $1,808 per month. This is +7% below the citywide median of $1,942.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Surprise?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $72,320 ($6,027/month gross), which works out to roughly $34.77/hour at a full-time job.
Is Surprise expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Surprise's studio median of $1,808 is +40% above the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 81th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Surprise rank for studio rent in Arizona?
Among the 51 cities in Arizona with studio data, Surprise ranks #44 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Surprise?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include Sun City West ($1,450), Waddell ($1,604), El Mirage ($1,480).