Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Tan Valley, AZ
VS
Sunrise, FL
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 12 of 19 categories
San Tan Valley
Arizona
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$88,466 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62
Population
101,207 ✓ Larger
Sunrise
Florida
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,001
Violent Crime Index
—
Population
96,510
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
San Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
Households earn $22,465 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.5%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Sunrise
Rent averages $117/mo less ($1,729 vs $1,846)
Smaller class sizes — 19.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Sunrise, FL
Pros
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 31.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 91°F vs 104°F
Milder winters — January highs near 76°F vs 66°F
Cons
Median income trails San Tan Valley by $22,465/yr
Cost of living runs 12% higher than San Tan Valley
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.8)
Higher unemployment (6.5% vs 4.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
San Tan Valley
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 100.0 vs 111.8 (100 = US avg)
San Tan Valley
Median Income
$22,465
$88,466 vs $66,001/yr
San Tan Valley
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.5% vs 6.5% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
13.1°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 91.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Tan Valley, AZ | Sunrise, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 ✓ Cheaper | 111.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $304,000 | $296,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,729⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,846⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,466 ✓ Higher | $66,001 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.5%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 36.2 min⚠ High | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.5% ✓ Higher | 10.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 56 | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 | — |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | B- (91) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.0% | 31.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.3% ✓ Higher | 91.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) | BROWARD |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F | 76.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 91.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 67.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,207 ✓ Larger | 96,510 |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 42.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.4% ✓ Higher | 69.6% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.7% | 19.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Tan Valley's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Sunrise's 111.8 (US average = 100).
San Tan Valley is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 19 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 12 of 19 categories. San Tan Valley wins 12 and Sunrise wins 7. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from San Tan Valley to Sunrise or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,000 vs $296,100 median home), income ($88,466 vs $66,001), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Tan Valley, AZ and Sunrise, FL are about 1,933 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.