Moving from Garland, TX to Surprise, AZ
Relocating 1118 mi from Garland to Surprise is a 19h 15m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1118 mi Β· 19h 15m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, TX 183 TEXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | Mesquite, Mckinney, Allen, Dallas, Richardson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garland | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Garland and Surprise sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $286,805 in Garland to $422,473 in Surprise, a 0.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Garland -5.4%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Garland | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 36Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 41.9" | 9.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.8Β°F vs 70.2Β°F per 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: RICHARDSON, TX US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garland | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 245,298 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $74,717 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 34.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 16.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.04 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.2% β $74,717 β $93,371 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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
- 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 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 far is Surprise, AZ from Garland, TX?
The driving distance is 1118 mi and the route typically takes 19h 15m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Garland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $48,440 in the Garland MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Surprise more expensive than Garland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 0.2% higher than Garland (103.316 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Garland to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Garland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $286,805 in Garland β a 47.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Garland vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $74,717 in Garland β a 25.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garland.
City profiles: Garland, TX Β· Surprise, AZ.