Moving from Surprise, AZ to Henderson, NV
The 253 mi from Surprise to Henderson translate to about 5h 15m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
253 mi · 5h 15m by car · NV → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NV → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 93, US 60, I 40 |
| Major cities en route | Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Henderson | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.215 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 90.646 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 115.538 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Surprise (103.316) and Henderson (100.215) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing step-up: Henderson at $486,156 is 3.0% above Surprise at $422,473.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Henderson -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Henderson |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 4.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Henderson — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, LAS VEGAS MCCARRAN AP, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Henderson |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 324,523 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $88,654 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 42.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.55 |
Income steps down 3.0%: $93,371 in Surprise vs $88,654 in Henderson.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Henderson MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 160,280 | $30,760 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 128,870 | $40,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,030 | $37,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 95,490 | $34,410 |
| Management Occupations | 81,830 | $91,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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 Henderson 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: Henderson sees only 4.2 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 Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Henderson?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.1°F in Henderson vs 70.2°F in Surprise (0.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 4.2 in vs 9.6 in.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Henderson?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,654 in Henderson vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 5.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Henderson compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $486,156 in Henderson vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 15.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Henderson?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 253 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Henderson, NV from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 253 mi and the route typically takes 5h 15m via US 93 and US 60. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Henderson more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Henderson is 3.0% lower than Surprise (100.215 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Henderson compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the Henderson MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 1,083,320 and 2,289,130 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 Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Henderson, NV.