Moving from Chicago, IL to Surprise, AZ
It is 1795 mi and 31h 31m from Chicago to Surprise β a cross-country move across 6 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.
1795 mi Β· 31h 31m by car Β· IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 55 |
| Major cities en route | Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, Springfield, St Louis |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Chicago | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.595 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 83.581 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.258 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 112.01 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 103.595 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 0.3% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $317,283 to $422,473 moving to Surprise.
YoY change: Chicago +2.8%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Chicago | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 20Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | β | 9.6" |
Expect 19.4Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
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: CHICAGO NORTHERLY IS, IL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Chicago | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.3% β $75,134 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 Illinois 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 (19.4Β°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 Chicago, IL?
The driving distance is 1795 mi and the route typically takes 31h 31m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Chicago?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $317,283 in Chicago β a 33.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Chicago to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1795 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Chicago?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 0.3% lower than Chicago (103.316 vs 103.595, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Chicago?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $49,790 in the Chicago MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 4,506,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Chicago vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $75,134 in Chicago β a 24.3% higher 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 Chicago.
City profiles: Chicago, IL Β· Surprise, AZ.