Moving from Sacramento, CA to Surprise, AZ
Relocating 754 mi from Sacramento to Surprise is a 13h 45m drive through 2 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item — rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
754 mi · 13h 45m by car · CA → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Sacramento and Surprise sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Surprise run about 3.1% cheaper — ZHVI $479,766 → $422,473 (2026-03).
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 9.6" |
Expect 6.8°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991–2020 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 1991–2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.75 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 3.1% higher in Surprise than Sacramento.
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 — 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
- 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 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
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 11.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 19.2 in.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 754 mi and the route typically takes 13h 45m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Surprise more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 3.1% lower than Sacramento (103.316 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 754 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 11.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Surprise, AZ.