Moving from Cape Coral, FL to Surprise, AZ
It is 2307 mi and 40h 37m from Cape Coral to Surprise β a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2307 mi Β· 40h 37m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, I 75 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Cape Coral | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.349 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 86.901 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.113 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 102.349 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.9% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $338,302 to $422,473 moving to Surprise.
YoY change: Cape Coral -8.4%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Cape Coral | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 54Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 57.4" | 9.6" |
Expect 5.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Surprise gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT MYERS PAGE FLD AP, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Cape Coral | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 206,387 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $76,062 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 48.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.9% β $76,062 β $93,371 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Florida 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.
- 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 much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Cape Coral?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $338,302 in Cape Coral β a 24.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Cape Coral vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $76,062 in Cape Coral β a 22.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Cape Coral?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $43,330 in the Cape Coral MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 290,450 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Cape Coral, FL?
The driving distance is 2307 mi and the route typically takes 40h 37m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Cape Coral to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2307 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Cape Coral?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 0.9% higher than Cape Coral (103.316 vs 102.349, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Cape Coral.
City profiles: Cape Coral, FL Β· Surprise, AZ.