Moving from Green Bay, WI to Surprise, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Green Bay, WI β Surprise, AZ cover 1870 mi and about 34h 21m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1870 mi Β· 34h 21m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β WI
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β KS β MO β IA β WI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Goodyear, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Green Bay | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 93.086 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.041 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.787 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 74.696 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.0% pricier overall in Surprise than Green Bay on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Surprise typical home at $422,473 is 11.0% above Green Bay at $278,024 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Green Bay +5.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Green Bay | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 9Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 32.4" | 9.6" |
NOAA normals show Surprise running 25.5Β°F above Green Bay on the annual mean.
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: GREEN BAY BOTANICAL, WI US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Green Bay | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,585 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $62,546 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 11.0% between Green Bay and Surprise (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 Wisconsin 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- Winter storms can slow I-90 and I-94 across western Wisconsin β check 511wi.
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 (25.5Β°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
When is the best time to move from Green Bay to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1870 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Green Bay?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $47,410 in the Green Bay MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 171,590 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Green Bay, WI?
The driving distance is 1870 mi and the route typically takes 34h 21m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Green Bay vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $62,546 in Green Bay β a 49.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Green Bay?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $278,024 in Green Bay β a 52.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Green Bay?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 11.0% higher than Green Bay (103.316 vs 93.086, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Green Bay.
City profiles: Green Bay, WI Β· Surprise, AZ.