Moving from Antioch, CA to Surprise, AZ
The drive from Antioch, CA to Surprise, AZ runs 719 mi — about 13h 18m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
719 mi · 13h 18m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Antioch | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Surprise is 10.6% cheaper than Antioch overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Surprise is 10.6% below Antioch — $598,211 vs $422,473 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Antioch -3.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Antioch | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 40°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.6" | 9.6" |
Climate warms by 7.7°F on the annual average — 62.5°F → 70.2°F.
Surprise gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: ANTIOCH PUMPING PLT #3, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Antioch | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,759 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $94,256 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.5% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.13 | 2.75 |
Median household incomes in Antioch ($94,256) and Surprise ($93,371) are within a few percent (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 California 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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 105°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.
- 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 Antioch, CA?
The driving distance is 719 mi and the route typically takes 13h 18m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Antioch to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 719 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Antioch?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $72,050 in the Antioch MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Surprise more expensive than Antioch?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 10.6% lower than Antioch (103.316 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Antioch?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $598,211 in Antioch — a 29.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Antioch and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 62.5°F in Antioch (7.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 12.6 in.
How does household income compare in Antioch vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $94,256 in Antioch — a 0.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Antioch.
City profiles: Antioch, CA · Surprise, AZ.