Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Clovis, CA
Moving from Carlsbad, CA to Clovis, CA covers 316 mi and about 6h 10m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
316 mi Β· 6h 10m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 99, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Carlsbad | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Clovis are 8.7% below Carlsbad β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Clovis typical home at $521,708 is 8.7% under Carlsbad at $1,370,649 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Carlsbad -3.9%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Carlsbad | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.4" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 65.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clovis sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Carlsbad | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,500 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $139,326 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 42.8 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.99 |
Median household income in Clovis is 8.7% below Carlsbad ($139,326 vs $100,360, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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 Clovis average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- 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 Clovis, CA from Carlsbad, CA?
The driving distance is 316 mi and the route typically takes 6h 10m via I 5 and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Carlsbad to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 316 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Carlsbad vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $139,326 in Carlsbad β a 28.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Carlsbad?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $1,370,649 in Carlsbad β a 61.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clovis more expensive than Carlsbad?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 8.7% lower than Carlsbad (102.158 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Carlsbad?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Carlsbad.
City profiles: Carlsbad, CA Β· Clovis, CA.