Moving from North Las Vegas, NV to Surprise, AZ
It is a 269 mi drive, roughly 5h 32m, between North Las Vegas, NV 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.
269 mi · 5h 32m by car · NV → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 93, US 60, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Las Vegas, Henderson, Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| North Las Vegas | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.215 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.646 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.271 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 115.538 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
North Las Vegas and Surprise sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Surprise ($422,473) sits close to North Las Vegas ($407,047) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: North Las Vegas -1.8%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | North Las Vegas | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 106°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 4.3" | 9.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 69.8°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: N LAS VEGAS, NV US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | North Las Vegas | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 270,773 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $76,772 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 3.1% more than North Las Vegas at the median — $76,772 → $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 Nevada 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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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 North Las Vegas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $43,510 in the North Las Vegas MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,083,320 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to North Las Vegas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $407,047 in North Las Vegas — a 3.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Surprise, AZ from North Las Vegas, NV?
The driving distance is 269 mi and the route typically takes 5h 32m via US 93 and US 60. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in North Las Vegas vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $76,772 in North Las Vegas — a 21.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from North Las Vegas 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 269 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than North Las Vegas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 3.1% higher than North Las Vegas (103.316 vs 100.215, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between North Las Vegas and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 69.8°F in North Las Vegas (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 4.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from North Las Vegas.
City profiles: North Las Vegas, NV · Surprise, AZ.