Moving from Victorville, CA to Surprise, AZ
It is a 355 mi drive, roughly 6h 27m, between Victorville, CA and Surprise, AZ. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate — not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
355 mi · 6h 27m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, I 15 |
| Major cities en route | Peoria, Phoenix, Glendale, Tempe, Goodyear |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Victorville | Surprise | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Victorville and Surprise sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI for Surprise ($422,473) sits close to Victorville ($436,009) — no material housing gap.
YoY change: Victorville -1.2%, Surprise -2.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Victorville | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 70°F |
| January avg low | 33°F | 39°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 5.6" | 9.6" |
Annual temperature rises 8.3°F moving to Surprise per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Surprise sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: VICTORVILLE, CA US, WITTMANN 1SE, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Victorville | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,983 | 149,519 |
| Median household income | $70,663 | $93,371 |
| Median age | 32 | 41.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8.3% | 19.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.63 | 2.75 |
Surprise households earn about 2.9% more than Victorville at the median — $70,663 → $93,371 on ACS 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 California 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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
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 does household income compare in Victorville vs Surprise?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $93,371 in Surprise vs $70,663 in Victorville — a 32.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Victorville and Surprise?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.2°F in Surprise vs 61.9°F in Victorville (8.3°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 9.6 in vs 5.6 in.
How much do homes cost in Surprise compared to Victorville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $422,473 in Surprise vs $436,009 in Victorville — a 3.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Surprise more expensive than Victorville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Surprise is 2.9% lower than Victorville (103.316 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Victorville 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 355 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Surprise compare to Victorville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Surprise MSA vs $47,450 in the Victorville MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Surprise, AZ from Victorville, CA?
The driving distance is 355 mi and the route typically takes 6h 27m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 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 Victorville.
City profiles: Victorville, CA · Surprise, AZ.