Moving from Goodyear, AZ to Surprise, AZ
Relocating from Goodyear, AZ to Surprise, AZ? The drive is 40 mi — about 1h 9m. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
40 mi · 1h 9m by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | AZ 303 LOOP, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Goodyear | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 0.0% under Goodyear — $469,424 → $422,473 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Goodyear -1.2%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Goodyear | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 107°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 7.4" | 9.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Goodyear | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,891 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $101,814 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 40.8 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.2% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.87 | 2.75 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% lower in Surprise than Goodyear.
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.
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-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.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Goodyear and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 73.9°F in Goodyear (3.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 7.4 in.
How does household income compare in Goodyear vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $101,814 in Goodyear — a 8.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Goodyear, AZ?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via AZ 303 LOOP and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Goodyear?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $469,424 in Goodyear — a 10.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Goodyear 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 40 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 Goodyear?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 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 Goodyear.
City profiles: Goodyear, AZ · Surprise, AZ.