Moving from San Mateo, CA to Surprise, AZ
It is 736 mi between San Mateo and Surprise β roughly 13h 34m 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.
736 mi Β· 13h 34m by car Β· AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 10.6% moving from San Mateo to Surprise β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,686,905 in San Mateo to $422,473 in Surprise, a 10.6% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 11.5Β°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: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 38 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 10.6% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $93,371 on 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 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (11.5Β°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 far is Surprise, AZ from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 736 mi and the route typically takes 13h 34m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 75.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 38.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 736 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 10.6% lower than San Mateo (103.316 vs 115.613, 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Surprise, AZ.