Moving from Hillsboro, OR to Surprise, AZ
Relocating 1260 mi from Hillsboro to Surprise is a 24h 45m 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.
1260 mi Β· 24h 45m by car Β· AZ β NV β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NV β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 95, US 93, US 20 |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Henderson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hillsboro | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.0% under Hillsboro β $522,557 β $422,473 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Hillsboro -3.7%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hillsboro | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 34Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 35.9" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.7Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AP, OR US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hillsboro | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,050 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $103,207 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 34.8 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.6% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 2.75 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 2.0% lower in Surprise than Hillsboro.
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 Oregon 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.7Β°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 much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Hillsboro?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $522,557 in Hillsboro β a 19.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Hillsboro vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $103,207 in Hillsboro β a 9.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Surprise more expensive than Hillsboro?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 2.0% lower than Hillsboro (103.316 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Hillsboro?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $55,940 in the Hillsboro MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Hillsboro, OR?
The driving distance is 1260 mi and the route typically takes 24h 45m via US 95 and US 93. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Hillsboro to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1260 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hillsboro.
City profiles: Hillsboro, OR Β· Surprise, AZ.