Moving from Ontario, CA to Surprise, AZ
Moving from Ontario, CA to Surprise, AZ covers 332 mi and about 6h 1m by car through 2 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
332 mi Β· 6h 1m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 60, AZ 303 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Rancho Cucamonga, Garden Grove, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Ontario | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Surprise and Ontario is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Surprise is 2.9% below Ontario β $672,742 vs $422,473 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Ontario -1.7%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Ontario | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.6" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Ontario (66.8Β°F) and Surprise (70.2Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Surprise gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Ontario | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 178,347 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $82,806 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.39 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 2.9% above Ontario ($82,806 β $93,371, 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 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.
- 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 Ontario?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $47,450 in the Ontario MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Surprise more expensive than Ontario?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 2.9% lower than Ontario (103.316 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Ontario vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $82,806 in Ontario β a 12.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Ontario?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $672,742 in Ontario β a 37.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Ontario, CA?
The driving distance is 332 mi and the route typically takes 6h 1m via I 10 and CA 60. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Ontario to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 332 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Ontario.
City profiles: Ontario, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.