Moving from Alexandria, VA to Surprise, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Alexandria, VA → Surprise, AZ cover 2346 mi and about 41h 19m 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.
2346 mi · 41h 19m by car · VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | VA → TN → AR → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 81, US 52 |
| Major cities en route | Knoxville, Murfreesboro, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Alexandria | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Surprise are 5.1% below Alexandria — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Surprise typical home at $422,473 is 5.1% under Alexandria at $676,205 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Alexandria | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 30°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 9.6" |
Climate warms by 10.9°F on the annual average — 59.3°F → 70.2°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 2.75 |
Income steps down 5.1%: $113,638 in Alexandria vs $93,371 in Surprise.
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 Virginia 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 — 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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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 Surprise average 105°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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (10.9°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2346 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Alexandria vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $113,638 in Alexandria — a 17.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Alexandria and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 59.3°F in Alexandria (10.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 13.7 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 41.8 in.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $676,205 in Alexandria — a 37.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 2346 mi and the route typically takes 41h 19m via I 40 and I 81. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Surprise more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 5.1% lower than Alexandria (103.316 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA · Surprise, AZ.