Moving from Surprise, AZ to Tempe, AZ
Moving from Surprise, AZ to Tempe, AZ is a 48 mi drive, about 1h 7m by car. This is a local relocation — same-day moves are typical — but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
48 mi · 1h 7m by car · AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 60, AZ 101 LOOP |
| Major cities en route | Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Phoenix |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Surprise | Tempe | 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 |
Overall cost of living in Tempe and Surprise is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Tempe is 0.0% above Surprise ($468,281 vs $422,473 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Tempe -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Surprise | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 39°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 105°F | 106°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 8.8" |
Annual average temperatures in Surprise (70.2°F) and Tempe (71.8°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Tempe gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, TEMPE ASU, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 186,419 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $77,643 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 29.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 28.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.42 |
Median household income in Tempe is 0.0% below Surprise ($93,371 → $77,643, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tempe 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 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
- 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 Tempe average 106°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Tempe sees only 8.8 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 far is Tempe, AZ from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 48 mi and the route typically takes 1h 7m via I 10 and US 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Tempe?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $77,643 in Tempe vs $93,371 in Surprise — a 16.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Tempe compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $468,281 in Tempe vs $422,473 in Surprise — a 10.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Tempe?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 48 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Tempe compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Tempe 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.
What is the climate difference between Surprise and Tempe?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.8°F in Tempe vs 70.2°F in Surprise (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.8 in vs 9.6 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Surprise.
City profiles: Surprise, AZ · Tempe, AZ.