Moving from Dallas, TX to Surprise, AZ
It is 1103 mi between Dallas and Surprise — roughly 18h 60m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1103 mi · 18h 60m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, I 30 |
| Major cities en route | Plano, Garland, Frisco, Mckinney, Mesquite |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 103.09 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $309,421 to $422,473 moving to Surprise.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Dallas (68.0°F) and Surprise (70.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
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: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 0.2% more than Dallas at the median — $67,760 → $93,371 on 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 Texas 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
- 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 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
Is Surprise more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 0.2% higher than Dallas (103.316 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 36.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Dallas 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 1103 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 37.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1103 mi and the route typically takes 18h 60m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 68.0°F in Dallas (2.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 38.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Surprise, AZ.