Moving from Surprise, AZ to Tuscaloosa, AL
A 1690 mi cross-country move between Surprise and Tuscaloosa is 29h 27m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1690 mi Β· 29h 27m by car Β· AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, I 10, 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 | Tuscaloosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.316 | 87.722 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 93.332 | 84.396 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.024 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 121.236 | 58.246 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 15.1% moving from Surprise to Tuscaloosa β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $422,473 in Surprise to $228,947 in Tuscaloosa, a 15.1% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Surprise -2.4%, Tuscaloosa +1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Surprise | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 70Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 39Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 105Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 9.6" | 57.3" |
Annual temperature drops 5.9Β°F moving to Tuscaloosa per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US, NORTHPORT 2 S, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Surprise | Tuscaloosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 149,519 | 107,699 |
| Median household income | $93,371 | $48,536 |
| Median age | 41.6 | 28.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 2.68 |
Tuscaloosa households earn about 15.1% less than Surprise at the median β $93,371 β $48,536 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Tuscaloosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Production Occupations | 15,750 | $48,310 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 9,940 | $37,980 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 9,860 | $25,430 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 9,250 | $36,980 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 8,780 | $29,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Arizona and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 Tuscaloosa average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Tuscaloosa averages 57.3 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Surprise vs Tuscaloosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $48,536 in Tuscaloosa vs $93,371 in Surprise β a 48.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Tuscaloosa compare to Surprise?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $43,690 in the Tuscaloosa MSA vs $48,600 in the Surprise MSA, on total employment of 103,520 and 2,289,130 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Tuscaloosa compared to Surprise?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $228,947 in Tuscaloosa vs $422,473 in Surprise β a 45.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Surprise to Tuscaloosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1690 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Tuscaloosa, AL from Surprise, AZ?
The driving distance is 1690 mi and the route typically takes 29h 27m via I 20 and I 10. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Tuscaloosa more expensive than Surprise?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Tuscaloosa is 15.1% lower than Surprise (87.722 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· Tuscaloosa, AL.