Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Surprise, AZ
It is 2078 mi and 36h 24m from Jacksonville to Surprise — a cross-country move across 7 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.
2078 mi · 36h 24m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 99.484 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 3.9% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $282,895 to $422,473 moving to Surprise.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Jacksonville | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 47°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Jacksonville (71.4°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: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 3.9% — $66,981 → $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 Florida 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
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $282,895 in Jacksonville — a 49.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $66,981 in Jacksonville — a 39.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 2078 mi and the route typically takes 36h 24m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Surprise more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 3.9% higher than Jacksonville (103.316 vs 99.484, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Jacksonville and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 71.4°F in Jacksonville (1.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 47.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville 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 2078 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL · Surprise, AZ.