Moving from Surprise, AZ to Las Vegas, NV
It is a 272 mi drive, roughly 5h 32m, between Surprise, AZ and Las Vegas, NV. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
272 mi Β· 5h 32m by car Β· NV β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | NV β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 93, I 11, US 95 |
| Major cities en route | North Las Vegas, Henderson, Peoria, Glendale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Las Vegas | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 100.215 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 90.646 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.271 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 115.538 | 100.0 |
Surprise and Las Vegas sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Las Vegas ($426,583) sits close to Surprise ($422,473) β no material housing gap.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Las Vegas -2.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 104Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 4.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.2Β°F vs 68.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, LAS VEGAS AIR TERMINAL, NV US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 650,873 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $70,723 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 38.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 17.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.66 |
Las Vegas households earn about 3.0% less than Surprise at the median β $93,371 β $70,723 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Las Vegas MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 160,280 | $30,760 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 128,870 | $40,480 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 100,030 | $37,330 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 95,490 | $34,410 |
| Management Occupations | 81,830 | $91,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Nevada
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Nevada'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
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains 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 Las Vegas average 104Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Las Vegas sees only 4.0 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.
- Register to vote in Nevada after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Las Vegas, NV from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 272 mi and the route typically takes 5h 32m via US 93 and I 11. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Las Vegas compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,510 in the Las Vegas MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 1,083,320 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Las Vegas?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Las Vegas?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,723 in Las Vegas vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 24.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Las Vegas compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $426,583 in Las Vegas vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 1.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Las Vegas more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Las Vegas is 3.0% lower than Surprise (100.215 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Las Vegas, NV.