Moving from Vallejo, CA to Surprise, AZ
Relocating 753 mi from Vallejo to Surprise is a 13h 46m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
753 mi Β· 13h 46m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vallejo | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.8% under Vallejo β $520,970 β $422,473 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Vallejo -5.4%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vallejo | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 21.5" | 9.6" |
Expect 8.6Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VALLEJO, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vallejo | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,637 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $89,496 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 40 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.75 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Surprise 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.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Surprise average 105Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Surprise sees only 9.6 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Surprise more expensive than Vallejo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 4.8% lower than Vallejo (103.316 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Vallejo vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $89,496 in Vallejo β a 4.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Vallejo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Vallejo, CA?
The driving distance is 753 mi and the route typically takes 13h 46m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Vallejo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $520,970 in Vallejo β a 18.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Vallejo to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 753 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Vallejo.
City profiles: Vallejo, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.