Moving from Houston, TX to Surprise, AZ
The drive from Houston, TX to Surprise, AZ runs 1207 mi — about 20h 34m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1207 mi · 20h 34m by car · TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Houston | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Surprise and Houston is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Surprise is 4.8% above Houston — $264,336 vs $422,473 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Houston -2.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Houston | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 93°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 54.1" | 9.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Houston (70.6°F) and Surprise (70.2°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Surprise gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: HOUSTON-PORT, TX US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Houston | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $62,894 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 4.8% between Houston and Surprise (ACS 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 — 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
Is Surprise more expensive than Houston?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 4.8% higher than Houston (103.316 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Houston and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 70.6°F in Houston (0.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 54.1 in.
How does household income compare in Houston vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $62,894 in Houston — a 48.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Houston?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $264,336 in Houston — a 59.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Houston?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,960 in the Houston MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Houston, TX?
The driving distance is 1207 mi and the route typically takes 20h 34m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Houston 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 1207 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — 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 Houston.
City profiles: Houston, TX · Surprise, AZ.