Moving from Akron, OH to Surprise, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Akron, OH β Surprise, AZ cover 2044 mi and about 36h 12m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2044 mi Β· 36h 12m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Akron | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.37 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.448 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.628 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 76.785 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 10.7% pricier overall in Surprise than Akron on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Surprise typical home at $422,473 is 10.7% above Akron at $137,894 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Akron +2.2%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Akron | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.5" | 9.6" |
NOAA normals show Surprise running 17.9Β°F above Akron on the annual mean.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: AKRON FULTON INTL AP, OH US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Akron | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 189,526 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $48,544 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 10.7% between Akron and Surprise (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Surprise MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Ohio and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Surprise average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Surprise sees only 9.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Surprise, AZ from Akron, OH?
The driving distance is 2044 mi and the route typically takes 36h 12m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Akron vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $48,544 in Akron β a 92.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Akron to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2044 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Akron?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 10.7% higher than Akron (103.316 vs 93.37, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Akron?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $137,894 in Akron β a 206.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Akron?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $45,950 in the Akron MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 320,810 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Akron.
City profiles: Akron, OH Β· Surprise, AZ.