Moving from Surprise, AZ to Elgin, IL
Cross-country relocations like Surprise, AZ → Elgin, IL cover 1750 mi and about 31h 38m of driving through 8 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1750 mi · 31h 38m by car · AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS → MO → IA → IL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → NM → TX → OK → KS → MO → IA → IL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 54, I 35 |
| Major cities en route | Goodyear, Glendale, Phoenix, Peoria, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Elgin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.595 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 83.581 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 107.258 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 112.01 | 100.0 |
Elgin and Surprise are close on the overall BEA RPP (103.316 vs 103.595); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Elgin typical home at $329,682 is 0.3% under Surprise at $422,473 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Elgin +3.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 49°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 14°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 84°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 32.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 39.9" |
NOAA normals show Elgin running 21.2°F below Surprise on the annual mean.
Significant snow at the destination: Elgin sees 32.1 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, ELGIN, IL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Elgin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 114,106 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $88,316 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 16.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.94 |
Income steps down 0.3%: $93,371 in Surprise vs $88,316 in Elgin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elgin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 519,810 | $46,540 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 497,550 | $41,020 |
| Management Occupations | 405,130 | $125,280 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 386,070 | $38,490 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 368,000 | $33,540 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Illinois
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Illinois'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.
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 — Elgin averages 32.1 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 (21.2°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 Illinois after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Elgin?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1750 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Elgin more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elgin is 0.3% higher than Surprise (103.595 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Elgin compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $49,790 in the Elgin MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 4,506,800 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Elgin?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 49.0°F in Elgin vs 70.2°F in Surprise (21.2°F colder). Annual snowfall: 32.1 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 39.9 in vs 9.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Elgin compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $329,682 in Elgin vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 22.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Elgin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,316 in Elgin vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 5.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Elgin, IL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1750 mi and the route typically takes 31h 38m via I 40 and US 54. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Elgin, IL.