Moving from Surprise, AZ to League City, TX
It is 1236 mi between Surprise and League City — roughly 21h 4m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 3 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1236 mi · 21h 4m by car · AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| 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 | League City | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Surprise and League City sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in League City run about 4.5% cheaper — ZHVI $422,473 → $372,300 (2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, League City -1.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 60.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.2°F vs 70.6°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: League City sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, HOUSTON NWSO, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | League City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 114,885 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $119,870 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 32.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.68 |
League City households earn about 4.5% more than Surprise at the median — $93,371 → $119,870 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in League City MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
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
- 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 League City average 92°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: League City averages 60.2 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- 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
Is League City more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in League City is 4.5% lower than Surprise (98.629 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is League City, TX from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1236 mi and the route typically takes 21h 4m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in League City compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $372,300 in League City vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 11.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and League City?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in League City vs 70.2°F in Surprise (0.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.2 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 60.2 in vs 9.6 in.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs League City?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,870 in League City vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 28.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in League City compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the League City MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to League City?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 · League City, TX.