Moving from Surprise, AZ to Cleveland, OH
A 2060 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Cleveland is 36h 27m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2060 mi Β· 36h 27m by car Β· OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | OH β IN β IL β MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Akron, Columbus, Dayton, St Louis, Springfield |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Cleveland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 93.923 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 95.967 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 93.628 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 79.434 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.1% cheaper overall in Cleveland than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Cleveland -1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 52Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 24Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 33.3" |
Annual average temperature gap of 17.9Β°F β a meaningful climate change across the move.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, CLEVELAND BURKE AP, OH US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Cleveland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 367,523 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $39,187 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.18 |
Cleveland households earn about 9.1% less than Surprise at the median β $93,371 β $39,187 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Ohio
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Ohio'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
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (17.9Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Ohio after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Cleveland, OH from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 2060 mi and the route typically takes 36h 27m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Cleveland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2060 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Cleveland compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $115,537 in Cleveland vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 72.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Cleveland more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Cleveland is 9.1% lower than Surprise (93.923 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Cleveland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $39,187 in Cleveland vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 58.0% lower 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 Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Cleveland, OH.