Moving from Surprise, AZ to Springfield, MO
It is 1293 mi between Surprise and Springfield β roughly 22h 18m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1293 mi Β· 22h 18m by car Β· MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | MO β OK β TX β NM β AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 44 BUSINESS, I 17 |
| Major cities en route | Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Springfield | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 88.585 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 85.825 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 94.193 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 65.568 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 14.3% cheaper overall in Springfield than Surprise on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
14.3% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Springfield +1.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 23Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 46.5" |
Annual temperature drops 13.8Β°F moving to Springfield per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, SPRINGFIELD WBO, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 169,432 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $45,984 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 33.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 18.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.13 |
Springfield households earn about 14.3% less than Surprise at the median β $93,371 β $45,984 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Springfield MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 28,080 | $38,030 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 24,360 | $38,880 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 20,070 | $28,100 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,640 | $31,070 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 17,940 | $63,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri'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
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.8Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- 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 Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Springfield compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,490 in the Springfield MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 217,710 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Springfield?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $45,984 in Springfield vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 50.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Springfield?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1293 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Springfield compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $242,870 in Springfield vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 42.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Springfield more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Springfield is 14.3% lower than Surprise (88.585 vs 103.316, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Springfield, MO from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1293 mi and the route typically takes 22h 18m via I 40 and I 44 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ Β· Springfield, MO.