Moving from Surprise, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ
It is a short 40 mi hop from Surprise, AZ to Scottsdale, AZ β roughly 1h 3m 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 Β· 1h 3m by car Β· AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | AZ 101 LOOP, US 60 |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Scottsdale | 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 |
Surprise and Scottsdale 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 climbs from $422,473 in Surprise to $858,022 in Scottsdale, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Scottsdale +1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 99Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 70.2Β°F vs 69.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, PINNACLE PEAK, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Scottsdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 242,169 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $107,372 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 49.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 37.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.06 |
Households in Scottsdale earn about 0.0% more at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Scottsdale 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 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Scottsdale average 99Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Scottsdale sees only 11.6 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 does the job market in Scottsdale compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Scottsdale 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.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Scottsdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% 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 β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Scottsdale, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 40 mi and the route typically takes 1h 3m via AZ 101 LOOP and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Scottsdale compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $858,022 in Scottsdale vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 103.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Scottsdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $107,372 in Scottsdale vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 15.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Scottsdale, AZ.