Moving from Surprise, AZ to McKinney, TX
A move from Surprise, AZ to McKinney, TX covers 1101 mi and around 19h 23m of driving through 3 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1101 mi Β· 19h 23m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Dallas, Plano, Garland, Richardson, Allen |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | McKinney | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in McKinney and Surprise is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in McKinney is 0.2% above Surprise ($481,963 vs $422,473 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, McKinney -6.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | β |
McKinney is 5.3Β°F cooler on the annual average (70.2Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, MCKINNEY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | McKinney |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 202,314 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $120,273 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 34.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.86 |
Median household income in McKinney is 0.2% above Surprise ($93,371 vs $120,273, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in McKinney MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
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 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
- 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 McKinney average 94Β°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
How far is McKinney, TX from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1101 mi and the route typically takes 19h 23m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is McKinney more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in McKinney is 0.2% lower than Surprise (103.09 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in McKinney compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $481,963 in McKinney vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 14.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to McKinney?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1101 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in McKinney compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the McKinney MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs McKinney?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $120,273 in McKinney vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 28.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· McKinney, TX.