Moving from Surprise, AZ to Los Angeles, CA
The 383 mi from Surprise to Los Angeles translate to about 6h 59m 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.
383 mi · 6h 59m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, AZ 303 LOOP, I 10 EXPR |
| Major cities en route | Torrance, Inglewood, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Los Angeles | 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 Los Angeles than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Los Angeles typical home at $952,183 is 9.9% above Surprise at $422,473 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Los Angeles -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 48°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 78°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 14.1" |
Climate cools by 6.4°F on the annual average — 70.2°F → 63.8°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Los Angeles sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, CULVER CITY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 3,857,897 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $80,366 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 24.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.72 |
Income steps down 9.9%: $93,371 in Surprise vs $80,366 in Los Angeles.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Los Angeles 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 — 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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
- Dry climate: Los Angeles sees only 14.1 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 — 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 much do homes cost in Los Angeles compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $952,183 in Los Angeles vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 125.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Los Angeles more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Los Angeles 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 far is Los Angeles, CA from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 383 mi and the route typically takes 6h 59m via I 10 and AZ 303 LOOP. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Los Angeles compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Los Angeles?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 383 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Los Angeles?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $80,366 in Los Angeles vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 13.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Los Angeles?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.8°F in Los Angeles vs 70.2°F in Surprise (6.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.1 in vs 9.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Los Angeles, CA.