Surprise, AZ vs Phoenix, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Phoenix, AZ and Surprise, AZ spend within 9.4% of each other per resident — $15,793 versus $14,436 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Phoenix, AZ holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 67/100 (grade B) against 59/100 (grade C) for Surprise, AZ — a 8-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Surprise, AZ carries the lighter load at $309 per resident versus $1,156 for Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ at $652.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Surprise, AZ and 100% in Phoenix, AZ.
Summary
Phoenix spends 8.6% more per capita than Surprise ($1,357/person difference). Phoenix, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 67/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $7 |
| Sales Tax | $100 | $338 |
| Income Tax | $673 | $1,260 |
| Intergovernmental | $3,454 | $50,709 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,036 | $2,998 |
| Other | $2,972 | $2,038 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $870 | $170 |
| Highways & Roads | $0 | $86 |
| Education | $0 | $214 |
| Public Welfare | $2,361 | $507 |
| Health | $0 | $258 |
| Hospitals | $1,200 | $1,521 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,032 | $652 |
| Housing | $2,769 | $3,879 |
| Sewerage | $0 | $388 |
| Utilities | $1,764 | $2,480 |
| Interest on Debt | $38 | $1,760 |
| Other | $3,403 | $3,878 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.