Moving from Springfield, IL to Surprise, AZ
Moving from Springfield, IL to Surprise, AZ is a 1600 mi cross-country relocation β about 27h 56m of driving through 6 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
1600 mi Β· 27h 56m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β OK β MO β IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Goodyear, Glendale, Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Springfield | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 92.745 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.406 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.643 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 71.616 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Surprise is 11.4% higher than Springfield, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Surprise is 11.4% above Springfield β $163,198 vs $422,473 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Springfield +8.2%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Springfield | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 53Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 105Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 40.4" | 9.6" |
Surprise runs 17.3Β°F warmer on the annual average (52.9Β°F vs 70.2Β°F) β a climate shift you will feel in cooling bills and wardrobe alike.
Surprise gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SPRINGFIELD #2, IL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Springfield | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $65,537 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 40.7 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.1% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.24 | 2.75 |
Median household income in Surprise is 11.4% above Springfield ($65,537 vs $93,371, 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 Illinois 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.
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (17.3Β°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 Springfield, IL?
The driving distance is 1600 mi and the route typically takes 27h 56m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Springfield vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $65,537 in Springfield β a 42.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Springfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $48,220 in the Springfield MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 103,670 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Springfield to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1600 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Surprise more expensive than Springfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 11.4% higher than Springfield (103.316 vs 92.745, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Springfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $163,198 in Springfield β a 158.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Springfield.
City profiles: Springfield, IL Β· Surprise, AZ.