Moving from Surprise, AZ to Mesquite, TX
Relocating 1118 mi from Surprise to Mesquite is a 19h 12m drive through 3 state(s). At long-haul distance the move touches nearly every household line item β rent or mortgage, utilities, tax withholding, climate load. This page sets the two cities side by side on each data layer.
1118 mi Β· 19h 12m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 20, US 180 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Glendale, Goodyear, Phoenix, Scottsdale |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Mesquite | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 103.09 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 90.711 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 102.838 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 117.874 | 100.0 |
Surprise and Mesquite 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 drops from $422,473 in Surprise to $262,121 in Mesquite, a 0.2% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Mesquite -4.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 36Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 96Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 40.9" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.2Β°F vs 66.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, FERRIS, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Mesquite |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 148,848 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $71,843 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 33.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 12.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.96 |
Expect median household income to fall 0.2% β $93,371 β $71,843 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mesquite MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 523,660 | $44,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 412,270 | $39,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 368,400 | $36,710 |
| Management Occupations | 350,940 | $117,410 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 341,240 | $29,000 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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-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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Mesquite average 96Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Mesquite?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $71,843 in Mesquite vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 23.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Mesquite?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1118 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Mesquite more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mesquite is 0.2% lower than Surprise (103.09 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Mesquite compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $262,121 in Mesquite vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 38.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mesquite, TX from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1118 mi and the route typically takes 19h 12m via I 10 and I 20. The trip crosses 3 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Mesquite compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,440 in the Mesquite MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 3,966,500 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 Β· Mesquite, TX.