Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Surprise, AZ
Relocating between Costa Mesa, CA and Surprise, AZ is a 359 mi drive β 6h 38m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
359 mi Β· 6h 38m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, CA 91 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Costa Mesa | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 9.0% moving from Costa Mesa to Surprise β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa to $422,473 in Surprise, a 9.0% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 9.6" |
Expect 5.3Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.75 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.0% lower in Surprise than Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.0% lower than Costa Mesa (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 15.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 359 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 359 mi and the route typically takes 6h 38m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 70.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.