Moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Surprise, AZ
It is 680 mi between Salt Lake City and Surprise — roughly 12h 26m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 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.
680 mi · 12h 26m by car · UT → AZ → NV
Distance & route
| Route through | UT → AZ → NV |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 15, US 93, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | West Valley City, West Jordan, Provo, North Las Vegas, Las Vegas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Salt Lake City | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.868 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 79 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.446 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 123.311 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Salt Lake City 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 drops from $573,181 in Salt Lake City to $422,473 in Surprise, a 2.4% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Salt Lake City +1.6%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Salt Lake City | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 28°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 49.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 17.7" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 14.4°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: SALT LAKE TRIAD CTR, UT US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Salt Lake City | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 203,888 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $74,925 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 33 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.29 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 2.4% more than Salt Lake City at the median — $74,925 → $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 Utah 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 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.4°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Salt Lake 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 680 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Salt Lake City?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $49,440 in the Salt Lake City MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 803,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Salt Lake City, UT?
The driving distance is 680 mi and the route typically takes 12h 26m via I 15 and US 93. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Salt Lake City?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $573,181 in Salt Lake City — a 26.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Salt Lake City?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 2.4% higher than Salt Lake City (103.316 vs 100.868, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Salt Lake City and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 55.8°F in Salt Lake City (14.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 49.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 17.7 in.
How does household income compare in Salt Lake City vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $74,925 in Salt Lake City — a 24.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Salt Lake City.
City profiles: Salt Lake City, UT · Surprise, AZ.