Moving from Pembroke Pines, FL to Surprise, AZ
A 2387 mi cross-country move between Pembroke Pines and Surprise is 41h 59m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2387 mi Β· 41h 59m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pembroke Pines | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Expect about 9.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Surprise at 103.316 vs Pembroke Pines at 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 9.5% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Pembroke Pines -4.3%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pembroke Pines | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 62.0" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature drops 7.1Β°F moving to Surprise per 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: HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pembroke Pines | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,557 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $81,675 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.75 |
Households in Surprise earn about 9.5% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 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
- 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 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 far is Surprise, AZ from Pembroke Pines, FL?
The driving distance is 2387 mi and the route typically takes 41h 59m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Surprise more expensive than Pembroke Pines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.5% lower than Pembroke Pines (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Pembroke Pines to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2387 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Pembroke Pines vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $81,675 in Pembroke Pines β a 14.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Pembroke Pines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $487,422 in Pembroke Pines β a 13.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Pembroke Pines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,721,490 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 Pembroke Pines.
City profiles: Pembroke Pines, FL Β· Surprise, AZ.