Moving from Elk Grove, CA to Surprise, AZ
A move from Elk Grove, CA to Surprise, AZ covers 742 mi and around 13h 34m of driving through 2 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
742 mi Β· 13h 34m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Antioch, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Elk Grove | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Surprise and Elk Grove is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Surprise is 3.1% below Elk Grove β $637,450 vs $422,473 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Elk Grove -3.5%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Elk Grove | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 18.1" | 9.6" |
Surprise runs 8.4Β°F warmer on the annual average (61.8Β°F vs 70.2Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
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: SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Elk Grove | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 177,221 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $122,229 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 39 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.24 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 3.1% below Elk Grove ($122,229 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 Elk Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $637,450 in Elk Grove β a 33.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Elk Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 3.1% lower than Elk Grove (103.316 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Elk Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 742 mi and the route typically takes 13h 34m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Elk Grove vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $122,229 in Elk Grove β a 23.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Elk Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Elk Grove to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 742 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Elk Grove.
City profiles: Elk Grove, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.