Moving from Surprise, AZ to Goodyear, AZ
It is a short 40 mi hop from Surprise, AZ to Goodyear, AZ — roughly 1h 9m behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
40 mi · 1h 9m by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | AZ 303 LOOP, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Goodyear | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 103.316 vs 103.316 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Goodyear -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 74°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 107°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 7.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Surprise (70.2°F) and Goodyear (73.9°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Goodyear gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, LAVEEN 3 SSE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Goodyear |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 102,891 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $101,814 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 40.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 22.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.87 |
Households in Goodyear earn about 0.0% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Goodyear 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.
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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Goodyear average 107°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Goodyear sees only 7.4 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Goodyear compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $469,424 in Goodyear vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 11.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Goodyear?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $101,814 in Goodyear vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 9.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Goodyear?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 73.9°F in Goodyear vs 70.2°F in Surprise (3.7°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.4 in vs 9.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Goodyear?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 40 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Goodyear, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 1h 9m via AZ 303 LOOP and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Goodyear compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Goodyear MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Goodyear, AZ.