Moving from Surprise, AZ to Phoenix, AZ
The drive from Surprise to Phoenix covers 26 mi in about 48 min. Local moves still matter — school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
26 mi · 48 min by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Phoenix | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Phoenix and Surprise is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Surprise and Phoenix are within 5% of each other ($422,473 vs $410,169 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Phoenix -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 73°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 104°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | — |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 8.9" |
Annual average temperatures in Surprise (70.2°F) and Phoenix (72.5°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, PHOENIX DEER VALLEY MUNI AP, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 1,624,832 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $77,041 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 34.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.7 |
Income steps down 0.0%: $93,371 in Surprise vs $77,041 in Phoenix.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Phoenix MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Phoenix average 104°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Phoenix sees only 8.9 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Phoenix?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 26 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Phoenix compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $410,169 in Phoenix vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 2.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Phoenix?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,041 in Phoenix vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 17.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Phoenix, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 26 mi and the route typically takes 48 min via US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Phoenix compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Phoenix MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Phoenix, AZ.