Moving from Surprise, AZ to Laredo, TX
Relocating 1068 mi from Surprise to Laredo is a 18h 59m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1068 mi · 18h 59m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 67, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Chandler, Gilbert |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Laredo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 86.956 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 80.614 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 59.746 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.8% moving from Surprise to Laredo — meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $422,473 in Surprise to $220,331 in Laredo, a 15.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Laredo +2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 75°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 100°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 19.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.2°F vs 75.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Laredo sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, LAREDO 2, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Laredo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 255,949 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $63,264 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 29.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.36 |
Expect median household income to fall 15.8% — $93,371 → $63,264 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Laredo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 15,810 | $34,040 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,300 | $35,870 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 10,740 | $23,180 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 9,360 | $28,410 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 9,330 | $22,560 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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 Laredo average 100°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Laredo?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1068 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Laredo more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Laredo is 15.8% lower than Surprise (86.956 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Laredo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,264 in Laredo vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 32.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Laredo compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $35,220 in the Laredo MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 104,610 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Laredo compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $220,331 in Laredo vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 47.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Laredo?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 75.0°F in Laredo vs 70.2°F in Surprise (4.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.7 in vs 9.6 in.
How far is Laredo, TX from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1068 mi and the route typically takes 18h 59m via I 10 and US 67. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Laredo, TX.