Surprise

This sprawling suburban city is located in the northwest Phoenix Metropolitan area, just 45 minutes from Downtown Phoenix and the Sky Harbor International Airport. Residents and visitors enjoy the small-town feel with big-city amenities that only Surprise can offer. From community celebrations, art galleries and cultural experiences, to regional festivals, this multigenerational city has something for everyone.

Discover the community

Housing

The cost of living in Surprise, AZ is 13% lower than the state average and 3% higher than the national average. Surprise, AZ housing is 7% cheaper than the U.S average, while utilities are about 44% pricier.

In May 2025, the Surprise, AZ housing market is balanced to slightly seller's market, with homes generally selling for around the asking price. The median home price in Surprise was $466,990 in April 2025. While some home values are down compared to the previous year, the market remains active, with a decent number of homes sold in April.

In Surprise, Arizona, you'll find a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and even duplexes and triplexes, according to Zillow. The city also features new home developments with diverse floor plans, some offering options for multigenerational living. Additionally, architectural styles like Bungalow, Southwest, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Pueblo are common, especially within the Surprise Heritage District, according to the city's website

Lifestyle

Surprise, AZ is generally considered a good place to live, with many residents rating its quality of life positively. It's known for being family-friendly, safe, and affordable, particularly for housing. The city also offers a variety of amenities, including numerous parks and recreational facilities.

Affordable Housing:

Housing costs in Surprise are generally less expensive than the national average, making it an attractive option for homeownership or renting.

Safety:

Surprise is known for its relatively low crime rate, which contributes to its family-friendly image.

Family-Friendly:

The city offers a range of activities for families, including parks, recreational facilities, and cultural events.

Pleasant Climate:

Surprise enjoys a warm climate with plenty of sunshine and mild winters, making it an attractive option for those who enjoy outdoor activities.

Amenities:

Surprise has a good mix of amenities, including grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers.

Low Crime Rate:

Surprise has a relatively low crime rate compared to other cities in Arizona, according to the city's official website.

Variety of Activities:

Surprise offers a variety of activities for all ages, including parks, golf courses, tennis courts, and more.

Small City Feel:

Despite its growth, Surprise retains a smaller-city feel compared to other parts of the Phoenix area.

Rapid Growth:

Surprise is experiencing rapid growth, which means new homes and businesses are constantly being built.

Community Engagement:

The city hosts a variety of community events and festivals, fostering a sense of community.

Positive Resident Ratings:

Surprise has consistently received positive ratings from residents in national surveys, with over 8 in 10 rating the quality of life as excellent or good.

Activities & Attractions

With a stellar combination of sunny weather, pro baseball, golf, and Sonoran nature, Surprise, Ariz., boasts the very best of the desert.

Just 45 minutes northwest of Downtown Phoenix, this cozy suburb offers a slower pace for those who seek it. Farm stands and citrus ranches beckon those looking to pick their own fruits and shop other locally made goods. Navel oranges, lemons, tangerines, tangelos and grapefruit are among the groves to meander at Cotton Lane Citrus and Justice Brothers - the latter of which is the longest continually operated citrus orchard in the state of Arizona and also hosts a pumpkin patch each fall.

There are also plenty of parks to explore, and don't miss a self-guided tour of the Surprise Women's Heritage Trail. Vista Center For the Arts hosts an eclectic range of or musicians, singers and bands, ranging from the Arizona philharmonic to a Selena tribute group. If you're visiting with little ones, the horses, rabbits, chickens, ducks, sheep and goats at the West Valley Petting Zoo are excited to make their acquaintance.

Rio Mirage Cafe serves up authentic, Sonoran-style Mexican recipes that have been handed down for generations. Surprise is also home to State 48 Brewery's original location. Opened in 2016, this local favorite is home to a 10-barrel system that produces the brand's seasonal and specialty beers - pair with a Neapolitan-style pizza fresh out of the wood-fired oven.

Family fun

Family fun is on display year-round in Surprise, Ariz., where entertainment centers and Spring Training baseball beckon visitors from surrounding West Valley cities and even from the Midwest regions of the United States. Plus, outdoor adventures draw visitors to area mountains and a regional lake. Even downtime can be filled with activities and fun things to do in Surprise such as tennis, golf and shopping.

In full swing

Surprise is home to the southwest's largest tennis and racquet complex, professionally designed golf courses, an urban fishing lake and aquatic centers. Each spring, the population explodes when they welcome the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers during the Cactus League Spring Training!

When the summer sun's out, it's the perfect time to enjoy the water at Surprise Aquatic Center, which features a zero-depth area, water slides, a vortex whirlpool, a competition pool, and a diving well. For indoor play, head to Uptown Alley, a popular attraction for family things to do in Arizona. The sprawling entertainment venue has something for everyone including 40 lanes of state-of-the-art bowling, a full-service restaurant, two high-energy bars, a sports theater, billiards, laser tag, over 80 video and prize games, live entertainment and private party rooms.

Hit the links

With 20 courses to choose from, Surprise is a golf aficionado's dream destination. Play a round at the Arizona Traditions Golf Club, a spectacular par-70 course that was designed in the traditional parkland style of older courses where fairways are adjacent to each other. Hundreds of mature pine trees, spectacular White Tank Mountain views and gently rolling terrain make this one of the most sought-after golf courses in greater Phoenix.

Take it outside

Lace up your hiking boots or grab your mountain bike and hit one of the desert trails that surround Surprise. The White Tank Mountain Regional Park is the largest regional park in Maricopa County with nearly 30,000 acres of beautiful, rugged ridges and canyons. This Surprise park is home to more than 30 miles of shared-use trails ranging in length from 0.9 mile to 7.9 miles, and difficulty from easy to strenuous.