Peoria, AZ vs Surprise, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Peoria, AZ and Surprise, AZ spend within 7.6% of each other per resident — $15,527 versus $14,436 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Peoria, AZ edges Surprise, AZ on the Fiscal Health Score by 5 points — 64/100 (grade C) to 59/100 (grade C). At a margin this narrow the grade is close enough that the factor-level detail matters more than the composite.
On debt, Surprise, AZ carries the lighter load at $309 per resident versus $903 for Peoria, AZ. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Peoria, AZ at $2,012 per resident and in Surprise, AZ at $2,032.
They also fund themselves differently: charges and fees is the largest single revenue source in Peoria, AZ at 16% of total revenue, whereas Surprise, AZ relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
Peoria spends 7.6% more per capita than Surprise ($1,091/person difference). Peoria, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 64/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $17 | $0 |
| Sales Tax | $89 | $100 |
| Income Tax | $898 | $673 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,658 | $3,454 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,823 | $1,036 |
| Other | $1,828 | $2,972 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $598 | $870 |
| Public Welfare | $1,297 | $2,361 |
| Hospitals | $0 | $1,200 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,012 | $2,032 |
| Housing | $3,363 | $2,769 |
| Sewerage | $289 | $0 |
| Utilities | $3,475 | $1,764 |
| Interest on Debt | $0 | $38 |
| Other | $4,494 | $3,403 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.