Surprise, AZ vs Peoria, 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 Surprise, AZ at $2,032 per resident and in Peoria, AZ at $2,012.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Surprise, AZ at 100% of total revenue, whereas Peoria, AZ relies most on charges and fees at 16%.
Summary
Peoria spends 7.0% 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 | $0 | $17 |
| Sales Tax | $100 | $89 |
| Income Tax | $673 | $898 |
| Intergovernmental | $3,454 | $1,658 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,036 | $2,823 |
| Other | $2,972 | $1,828 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $870 | $598 |
| Public Welfare | $2,361 | $1,297 |
| Hospitals | $1,200 | $0 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,032 | $2,012 |
| Housing | $2,769 | $3,363 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $289 |
| Utilities | $1,764 | $3,475 |
| Interest on Debt | $38 | $0 |
| Other | $3,403 | $4,494 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.