Rancho Santa Margarita, CA vs Surprise, AZ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Rancho Santa Margarita
68
#1361 nationally
Surprise
71
#1038 nationally
Rancho Santa Margarita leads in median household income ($150,146 vs $87,756). Rancho Santa Margarita leads in walk score (34 vs 21). Surprise leads in cost of living index (115 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA | Surprise, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68 (#1361) | 71 (#1038) |
| Population | 46,182 | 158,285 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,017,195 | $419,342 |
| Median Household Income | $150,146 | $87,756 |
| Average Commute | 27 min | 30.5 min |
| Walk Score | 34 | 21 |
| Crime Level | 2.2 | 3.0 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 178 | 115 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+2.6 | R+3.5 |
D+
68 Score
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,017,195
Population
46,182
Crime
Low
Walk Score
34
Pacific
View Rancho Santa Margarita, CA →
C-
71 Score
Surprise, AZ
Mid-size Arizona city with community character
Median Home
$419,342
Population
158,285
Crime
Low
Walk Score
21
Southwest
View Surprise, AZ →
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