Moving from League City, TX to Surprise, AZ
Relocating 1236 mi from League City to Surprise is a 21h 4m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1236 mi · 21h 4m by car · AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| League City | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.8% above League City — $372,300 → $422,473 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: League City -1.0%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | League City | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 46°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 92°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 60.2" | 9.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON NWSO, TX US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | League City | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,885 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $119,870 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 37.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 32.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to fall 4.8% — $119,870 → $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 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
- 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.
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 League City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,960 in the League City MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to League City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $372,300 in League City — a 13.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from League City 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 1236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Surprise, AZ from League City, TX?
The driving distance is 1236 mi and the route typically takes 21h 4m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in League City vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $119,870 in League City — a 22.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Surprise more expensive than League City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 4.8% higher than League City (103.316 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between League City and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 70.6°F in League City (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.2 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 60.2 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from League City.
City profiles: League City, TX · Surprise, AZ.