Moving from Overland Park, KS to Surprise, AZ
A move from Overland Park, KS to Surprise, AZ covers 1235 mi and around 22h 10m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1235 mi · 22h 10m by car · KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | KS → OK → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Kansas City, Kansas City, Independence, Lee S Summit, Olathe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Overland Park | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.543 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 89.034 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 94.12 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.642 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 11.6% pricier overall in Surprise than Overland Park on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 11.6% lower in Surprise than Overland Park as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Overland Park +5.0%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Overland Park | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 20°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 88°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.8" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 9.6" |
NOAA normals show Surprise running 15.1°F above Overland Park on the annual mean.
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: OLATHE 3E, KS US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Overland Park | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 197,199 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $103,838 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 38.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37.5% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.38 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 11.6% below Overland Park ($103,838 → $93,371, 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 Kansas 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (15.1°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 does household income compare in Overland Park vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $103,838 in Overland Park — a 10.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Overland Park?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $48,040 in the Overland Park MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,078,310 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Overland Park 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 1235 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Overland Park, KS?
The driving distance is 1235 mi and the route typically takes 22h 10m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Overland Park and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 55.1°F in Overland Park (15.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 13.8 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 40.7 in.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Overland Park?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $482,295 in Overland Park — a 12.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Overland Park?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 11.6% higher than Overland Park (103.316 vs 92.543, 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 Overland Park.
City profiles: Overland Park, KS · Surprise, AZ.