Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Surprise, AZ
Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Surprise, AZ covers 361 mi and about 6h 49m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
361 mi Β· 6h 49m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 79 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Surprise are 7.7% below Carlsbad β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Surprise typical home at $422,473 is 7.7% under Carlsbad at $1,370,649 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 9.6" |
Surprise runs 7.7Β°F warmer on the annual average (62.5Β°F vs 70.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 7.7% below Carlsbad ($139,326 vs $93,371, ACS 5-year 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 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
- 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 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 does the job market in Surprise compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Surprise more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 7.7% lower than Carlsbad (103.316 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 6h 49m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 69.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 33.0% 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 Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.