Moving from Modesto, CA to Surprise, AZ
It is 681 mi between Modesto and Surprise β roughly 12h 31m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 2 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
681 mi Β· 12h 31m by car Β· CA β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, CA 99, I 5 |
| Major cities en route | Stockton, Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Modesto | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 104.108 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.259 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 108.476 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Modesto and Surprise sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Surprise run about 0.8% cheaper β ZHVI $446,494 β $422,473 (2026-03).
YoY change: Modesto -0.7%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Modesto | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.3" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 7.1Β°F moving to Surprise per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MODESTO CITY CO AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Modesto | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,614 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $77,899 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 35.4 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.8% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.02 | 2.75 |
Households in Surprise earn about 0.8% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 California 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- 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 much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Modesto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $446,494 in Modesto β a 5.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Modesto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $47,720 in the Modesto MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 192,020 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 681 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Modesto vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $77,899 in Modesto β a 19.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Surprise more expensive than Modesto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 0.8% lower than Modesto (103.316 vs 104.108, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Modesto, CA?
The driving distance is 681 mi and the route typically takes 12h 31m via I 10 and CA 99. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Modesto.
City profiles: Modesto, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.