Moving from Surprise, AZ to Clearwater, FL
Moving from Surprise, AZ to Clearwater, FL is a 2157 mi cross-country relocation β about 38h 43m of driving through 7 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2157 mi Β· 38h 43m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 19, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Clearwater | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.89 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 88.525 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.47 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 125.839 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Surprise (103.316) and Clearwater (100.89) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Clearwater ZHVI at $339,488 is 2.3% below Surprise at $422,473.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Clearwater -5.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 74Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 53Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 90Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 53.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Clearwater |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 117,075 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $64,440 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 46.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.35 |
Median household income in Clearwater is 2.3% below Surprise ($93,371 vs $64,440, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clearwater MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 201,260 | $41,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 145,340 | $36,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 135,010 | $30,310 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 114,660 | $36,330 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 111,490 | $75,840 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- 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 Clearwater average 90Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Clearwater averages 53.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November β stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Clearwater?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2157 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clearwater compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 1,412,840 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clearwater more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clearwater is 2.3% lower than Surprise (100.89 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clearwater, FL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 2157 mi and the route typically takes 38h 43m via I 10 and US 19. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Clearwater?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,440 in Clearwater vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 31.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clearwater compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $339,488 in Clearwater vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 19.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Clearwater, FL.