Moving from West Palm Beach, FL to Surprise, AZ
Cross-country relocations like West Palm Beach, FL β Surprise, AZ cover 2329 mi and about 40h 55m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2329 mi Β· 40h 55m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Palm Beach | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Surprise is 9.5% cheaper than West Palm Beach overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Surprise is 9.5% above West Palm Beach ($422,473 vs $399,471 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: West Palm Beach -3.1%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Palm Beach | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 58Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 61.7" | 9.6" |
Climate cools by 5.6Β°F on the annual average β 75.8Β°F β 70.2Β°F.
Surprise gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WEST PALM BEACH INTL AP, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Palm Beach | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,508 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $69,261 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 40.2 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.37 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.5% between West Palm Beach and Surprise (ACS 2023).
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 Florida 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.
- 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 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
How does household income compare in West Palm Beach vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $69,261 in West Palm Beach β a 34.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Surprise, AZ from West Palm Beach, FL?
The driving distance is 2329 mi and the route typically takes 40h 55m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to West Palm Beach?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $399,471 in West Palm Beach β a 5.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from West Palm Beach to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2329 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than West Palm Beach?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.5% lower than West Palm Beach (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to West Palm Beach?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,510 in the West Palm Beach MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,721,490 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 West Palm Beach.
City profiles: West Palm Beach, FL Β· Surprise, AZ.