Moving from Norman, OK to Surprise, AZ
It is 1030 mi between Norman and Surprise — roughly 17h 52m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1030 mi · 17h 52m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 17, AZ 303 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Goodyear, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Norman | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Surprise runs about 14.3% more expensive overall than Norman — RPP 90.408 → 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $262,839 in Norman to $422,473 in Surprise, a 14.3% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Norman | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 9.5°F moving to Surprise per NOAA 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: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 14.3% more than Norman at the median — $65,060 → $93,371 on 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 Oklahoma 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 much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $262,839 in Norman — a 60.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 14.3% higher than Norman (103.316 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $65,060 in Norman — a 43.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Norman 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 1030 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Norman and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 60.7°F in Norman (9.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 4.1 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 37.7 in.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 1030 mi and the route typically takes 17h 52m via I 40 and I 17. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK · Surprise, AZ.