Moving from Surprise, AZ to Dearborn, MI
A 2020 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Dearborn is 35h 58m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2020 mi · 35h 58m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → MO → IL → IN → OH → MI |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Goodyear, Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Dearborn | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.298 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 106.988 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 98.817 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 94.69 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
2.9% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Dearborn +4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 50°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 30.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 35.1" |
Annual average temperature gap of 20.7°F — a meaningful climate change across the move.
Heavy-snow city: expect 30.8 in of snowfall annually at Dearborn.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, DEARBORN, MI US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Dearborn |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 107,846 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $65,192 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 32.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 20.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.97 |
Dearborn households earn about 2.9% less than Surprise at the median — $93,371 → $65,192 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Dearborn MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 224,810 | $45,600 |
| Production Occupations | 186,670 | $44,740 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 165,670 | $40,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 160,290 | $36,830 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 153,090 | $30,480 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Michigan
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Michigan'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
- 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.
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Dearborn averages 30.8 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (20.7°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 Michigan after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Dearborn?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.5°F in Dearborn vs 70.2°F in Surprise (20.7°F colder). Annual snowfall: 30.8 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 35.1 in vs 9.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Dearborn compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $245,068 in Dearborn vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 42.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Dearborn, MI from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 2020 mi and the route typically takes 35h 58m via I 40 and I 44. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Dearborn compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,950 in the Dearborn MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 1,900,180 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Dearborn more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Dearborn is 2.9% lower than Surprise (100.298 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Dearborn?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2020 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Dearborn?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $65,192 in Dearborn vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 30.2% 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 · Dearborn, MI.