Moving from Surprise, AZ to Midland, TX
It is 773 mi between Surprise and Midland — roughly 13h 20m 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.
773 mi · 13h 20m by car · AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, I 20 |
| 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 | Midland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 95.783 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.24 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 101.497 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.3% lower overall cost of living — BEA RPP 2024 has Midland at 95.783 vs Surprise at 103.316.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.3% lower home prices — ZHVI goes from $422,473 to $328,325 moving to Midland.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Midland +2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 31°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 1.9" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 13.6" |
Annual temperature drops 5.2°F moving to Midland per NOAA normals.
Midland averages 1.9 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, MIDLAND 4 ENE, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Midland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 133,998 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $91,169 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 31.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 23.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.54 |
Median household incomes in Surprise ($93,371) and Midland ($91,169) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Midland MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 17,160 | $49,990 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 14,010 | $48,020 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 11,250 | $45,440 |
| Management Occupations | 10,010 | $126,770 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations | 9,680 | $56,990 |
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 Midland average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Midland sees only 13.6 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Midland?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Midland vs 70.2°F in Surprise (5.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 1.9 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 13.6 in vs 9.6 in.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Midland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,169 in Midland vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 2.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Midland?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 773 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Midland compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,470 in the Midland MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 114,810 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Midland compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $328,325 in Midland vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 22.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Midland more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Midland is 7.3% lower than Surprise (95.783 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Midland, TX from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 773 mi and the route typically takes 13h 20m via I 10 and US 180. 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 · Midland, TX.