Moving from Des Moines, IA to Surprise, AZ
A move from Des Moines, IA to Surprise, AZ covers 1443 mi and around 25h 58m of driving through 7 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1443 mi · 25h 58m by car · IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | IA → MO → KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Kansas City, Overland Park |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Des Moines | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.701 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 84.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.73 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 84.741 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 12.7% pricier overall in Surprise than Des Moines on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Surprise typical home at $422,473 is 12.7% above Des Moines at $208,166 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Des Moines +0.8%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Des Moines | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 14°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 86°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 36.5" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 36.6" | 9.6" |
NOAA normals show Surprise running 19.3°F above Des Moines on the annual mean.
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: DES MOINES INTL AP, IA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Des Moines | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 212,464 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $63,966 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 34.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.36 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 12.7% above Des Moines ($63,966 vs $93,371, ACS 5-year 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 Iowa 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
- 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 (19.3°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
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Des Moines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $49,550 in the Des Moines MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 383,190 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Des Moines 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 1443 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Des Moines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 12.7% higher than Des Moines (103.316 vs 91.701, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Des Moines, IA?
The driving distance is 1443 mi and the route typically takes 25h 58m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Des Moines vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $63,966 in Des Moines — a 46.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Des Moines and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 50.9°F in Des Moines (19.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 36.5 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 36.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Des Moines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $208,166 in Des Moines — a 103.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Des Moines.
City profiles: Des Moines, IA · Surprise, AZ.