Moving from Surprise, AZ to Inglewood, CA
The 382 mi from Surprise to Inglewood translate to about 6h 60m behind the wheel through 2 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β 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.
382 mi Β· 6h 60m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, AZ 303 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Inglewood | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.9% pricier overall in Inglewood than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Inglewood typical home at $763,568 is 9.9% above Surprise at $422,473 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Inglewood +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 77Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 11.8" |
Climate cools by 5.7Β°F on the annual average β 70.2Β°F β 64.5Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, HAWTHORNE MUNI AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Inglewood |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 105,575 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $71,029 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 37.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 16.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.93 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 9.9% between Surprise and Inglewood (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Inglewood MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Dry climate: Inglewood sees only 11.8 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts 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 California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Inglewood compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Inglewood MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Inglewood more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Inglewood is 9.9% higher than Surprise (113.566 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Inglewood?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,029 in Inglewood vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 23.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Inglewood compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $763,568 in Inglewood vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 80.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Inglewood, CA from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 382 mi and the route typically takes 6h 60m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Inglewood?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 382 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Inglewood, CA.