Moving from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Surprise, AZ
It is 2367 mi and 41h 41m from Fort Lauderdale to Surprise — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2367 mi · 41h 41m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Lauderdale | 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 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.5% cheaper overall in Surprise than Fort Lauderdale on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.5% under Fort Lauderdale — $508,474 → $422,473 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Fort Lauderdale -4.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Fort Lauderdale | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 60°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 64.3" | 9.6" |
Expect 6.7°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FT LAUDERDALE BEACH, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Lauderdale | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $79,935 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 42.9 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.8% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.27 | 2.75 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 9.5% higher in Surprise than Fort Lauderdale.
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 — 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.
- 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 Fort Lauderdale vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale — a 16.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
The driving distance is 2367 mi and the route typically takes 41h 41m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Fort Lauderdale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $508,474 in Fort Lauderdale — a 16.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Lauderdale 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 2367 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Fort Lauderdale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.5% lower than Fort Lauderdale (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Fort Lauderdale and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 76.9°F in Fort Lauderdale (6.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 64.3 in.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Fort Lauderdale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,510 in the Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale.
City profiles: Fort Lauderdale, FL · Surprise, AZ.