Moving from Garden Grove, CA to Surprise, AZ
It is a 361 mi drive, roughly 6h 36m, between Garden Grove, CA and Surprise, AZ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
361 mi · 6h 36m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 91, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Torrance, Pasadena, Downey, Inglewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.0% moving from Garden Grove to Surprise — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,013,183 in Garden Grove to $422,473 in Surprise, a 9.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 9.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 66.1°F vs 70.2°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 2.75 |
Household income lines up — $90,166 vs $93,371 on 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 — 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
- 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 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
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (4.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 12.5 in.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove 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 361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 58.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 6h 36m via I 10 and CA 91. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Surprise more expensive than Garden Grove?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.0% lower than Garden Grove (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Garden Grove vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 3.6% 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 Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · Surprise, AZ.