Surprise, AZ vs Tucson, AZ
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Tucson, AZ and Surprise, AZ spend within 9.2% of each other per resident — $15,759 versus $14,436 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Surprise, AZ edges Tucson, AZ on the Fiscal Health Score by 4 points — 59/100 (grade C) to 55/100 (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 $1,540 for Tucson, 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 Tucson, AZ at $1,229.
On the revenue side both lean hardest on intergovernmental transfers — 100% of total revenue in Surprise, AZ and 100% in Tucson, AZ.
Summary
Tucson spends 8.4% more per capita than Surprise ($1,323/person difference). Surprise, AZ has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (C, 59/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Property Tax | $0 | $5 |
| Sales Tax | $100 | $309 |
| Income Tax | $673 | $1,107 |
| Intergovernmental | $3,454 | $23,276 |
| Charges & Fees | $1,036 | $4,534 |
| Other | $2,972 | $952 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $870 | $330 |
| Public Welfare | $2,361 | $1,181 |
| Hospitals | $1,200 | $1,314 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,032 | $1,229 |
| Housing | $2,769 | $3,091 |
| Utilities | $1,764 | $3,555 |
| Interest on Debt | $38 | $1,735 |
| Other | $3,403 | $3,322 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.