Moving from Surprise, AZ to Fort Lauderdale, FL
A 2367 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Fort Lauderdale is 41h 41m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2367 mi · 41h 41m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Fort Lauderdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 114.155 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 97.235 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 103.556 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 155.551 | 100.0 |
Fort Lauderdale runs about 10.5% more expensive overall than Surprise — RPP 103.316 → 114.155.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $422,473 in Surprise to $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale, a 10.5% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Fort Lauderdale -4.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 77°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 60°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 91°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 64.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.7°F moving to Fort Lauderdale per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Fort Lauderdale sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Fort Lauderdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 183,032 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $79,935 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 42.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 23.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.27 |
Households in Fort Lauderdale earn about 10.5% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Fort Lauderdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 393,730 | $41,640 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 306,440 | $37,640 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 261,940 | $30,720 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 239,610 | $37,610 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 194,910 | $77,760 |
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 — 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
- 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 Fort Lauderdale average 91°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: Fort Lauderdale averages 64.3 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — 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 Fort Lauderdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2367 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Fort Lauderdale, FL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 2367 mi and the route typically takes 41h 41m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Fort Lauderdale compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 2,721,490 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Fort Lauderdale more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Fort Lauderdale is 10.5% higher than Surprise (114.155 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Fort Lauderdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Fort Lauderdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale vs 70.2°F in Surprise (6.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 64.3 in vs 9.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Fort Lauderdale compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 20.4% higher 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 · Fort Lauderdale, FL.