Moving from Tampa, FL to Surprise, AZ
It is 2189 mi and 38h 23m from Tampa to Surprise — a cross-country move across 7 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
2189 mi · 38h 23m by car · FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ
Distance & route
| Route through | FL → AL → MS → LA → TX → NM → AZ |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | St Petersburg, Clearwater, Lakeland, Gainesville, Tallahassee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Tampa | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 2.4% above Tampa — $374,888 → $422,473 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Tampa -3.5%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Tampa | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 53°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 91°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 49.5" | 9.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Surprise — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: TAMPA INTL AP, FL US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Tampa | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 393,389 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $71,302 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 35.6 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.45 | 2.75 |
Expect median household income to rise 2.4% — $71,302 → $93,371 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Surprise 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.
Moving between Florida and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona'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 — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Surprise average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Surprise sees only 9.6 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Surprise, AZ from Tampa, FL?
The driving distance is 2189 mi and the route typically takes 38h 23m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Tampa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $374,888 in Tampa — a 12.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Tampa to Surprise?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2189 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Tampa vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $71,302 in Tampa — a 31.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Surprise more expensive than Tampa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 2.4% higher than Tampa (103.316 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Tampa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $46,420 in the Tampa MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
What is the climate difference between Tampa and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 74.5°F in Tampa (4.3°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 49.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Tampa.
City profiles: Tampa, FL · Surprise, AZ.