Moving from Hialeah, FL to Surprise, AZ

Cross-country relocations like Hialeah, FL β†’ Surprise, AZ cover 2391 mi and about 42h 7m of driving through 7 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.

2391 mi Β· 42h 7m by car Β· FL β†’ AL β†’ MS β†’ LA β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ

COL -9.5% Home values -4.8% Ξ” -6.7Β°F annual

Distance & route

Driving
2391 mi
Drive time
42h 7m
States
7
Fuel (25 mpg)
96 gal
Route throughFL β†’ AL β†’ MS β†’ LA β†’ TX β†’ NM β†’ AZ
Primary highwaysI 10, US 87, US 90
Major cities en routeMiami, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens

Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.

Cost of living

HialeahSurpriseU.S. avg
All items (RPP)114.155103.316100.0
Rents97.23593.332100.0
Goods103.55695.024100.0
Services155.551121.236100.0

Overall prices in Surprise are 9.5% below Hialeah β€” a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.

Housing prices

Hialeah β€” typical home
$443,804
Surprise β€” typical home
$422,473
Hialeah β€” typical rent
$2,409/mo
Surprise β€” typical rent
$1,930/mo

Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.

YoY change: Hialeah -3.0%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.

Climate

1991–2020 normalsHialeahSurprise
Annual avg temperature77Β°F70Β°F
January avg low59Β°F39Β°F
July avg high91Β°F105Β°F
Annual snowfallβ€”0.0"
Annual precipitation62.7"9.6"

Climate cools by 6.7Β°F on the annual average β€” 76.9Β°F β†’ 70.2Β°F.

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: MIAMI OPA LOCKA AP, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).

Demographics

ACS 5-year 2023HialeahSurprise
Population221,901149,519
Median household income$53,079$93,371
Median age45.941.6
Bachelor's degree or higher14.8%19.9%
Avg household size2.872.75

Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.5% between Hialeah and Surprise (ACS 2023).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.

Jobs & wages

Hialeah MSA β€” median wage
$46,510
Surprise MSA β€” median wage
$48,600
Hialeah MSA β€” employment
2,721,490
Surprise MSA β€” employment
2,289,130

Top occupations in Surprise MSA

OccupationEmploymentMedian 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

Florida income tax
no state income tax
Arizona income tax
2.5% top marginal

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 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 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 does household income compare in Hialeah vs Surprise?

Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $53,079 in Hialeah β€” a 75.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.

When is the best time to move from Hialeah 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 2391 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 Hialeah?

Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $443,804 in Hialeah β€” a 4.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.

How far is Surprise, AZ from Hialeah, FL?

The driving distance is 2391 mi and the route typically takes 42h 7m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.

How does the job market in Surprise compare to Hialeah?

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,510 in the Hialeah 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.

Is Surprise more expensive than Hialeah?

Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.5% lower than Hialeah (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.

Plan the move

Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hialeah.

City profiles: Hialeah, FL Β· Surprise, AZ.

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