Moving from Miami Gardens, FL to Surprise, AZ
Cross-country relocations like Miami Gardens, FL β Surprise, AZ cover 2384 mi and about 41h 53m 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.
2384 mi Β· 41h 53m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Miami Gardens | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 114.155 to 103.316, putting Surprise roughly 9.5% below Miami Gardens on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Surprise ZHVI at $422,473 is 9.5% below Miami Gardens at $469,434.
YoY change: Miami Gardens -2.9%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Miami Gardens | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 76Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 68.3" | 9.6" |
Climate cools by 5.8Β°F on the annual average β 76.0Β°F β 70.2Β°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: N MIAMI BEACH #2, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Miami Gardens | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,264 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $60,979 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11.6% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.75 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.5% between Miami Gardens 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 Florida 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.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in 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.
- 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 Miami Gardens?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 9.5% lower than Miami Gardens (103.316 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Miami Gardens?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $469,434 in Miami Gardens β a 10.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Miami Gardens, FL?
The driving distance is 2384 mi and the route typically takes 41h 53m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Miami Gardens?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,510 in the Miami Gardens 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.
How does household income compare in Miami Gardens vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $60,979 in Miami Gardens β a 53.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Miami Gardens to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2384 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 Miami Gardens.
City profiles: Miami Gardens, FL Β· Surprise, AZ.