Moving from Surprise, AZ to Jacksonville, FL
A 2078 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Jacksonville is 36h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 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.
2078 mi · 36h 24m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 17 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Jacksonville | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 99.484 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 87.514 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.24 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 109.777 | 100.0 |
Surprise and Jacksonville sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $422,473 in Surprise to $282,895 in Jacksonville, a 3.7% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Jacksonville -3.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 47°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 92°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 47.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 70.2°F vs 71.4°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Jacksonville sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Jacksonville |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 961,739 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $66,981 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21.6% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.5 |
Jacksonville households earn about 3.7% less than Surprise at the median — $93,371 → $66,981 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Jacksonville MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 106,430 | $41,600 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 78,750 | $37,710 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 72,870 | $35,550 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,150 | $29,270 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 56,370 | $74,980 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Florida
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Florida'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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Jacksonville average 92°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Hurricane season runs June through November — stock a basic emergency kit (water, flashlight, battery radio) during unpack.
- 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 Florida after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Jacksonville?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $66,981 in Jacksonville vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 28.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Jacksonville, FL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 2078 mi and the route typically takes 36h 24m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Jacksonville more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Jacksonville is 3.7% lower than Surprise (99.484 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 Jacksonville?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2078 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Jacksonville?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.4°F in Jacksonville vs 70.2°F in Surprise (1.2°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 47.6 in vs 9.6 in.
How does the job market in Jacksonville compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 740,520 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Jacksonville compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $282,895 in Jacksonville vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 33.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Jacksonville, FL.