Moving from Clovis, CA to Berkeley, CA
It is a 183 mi drive, roughly 3h 41m, between Clovis, CA and Berkeley, CA. 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.
183 mi · 3h 41m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 580, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, Antioch, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Berkeley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 13.2% above Clovis — 102.158 → 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
13.2% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Berkeley -1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 59°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 74°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 26.1" |
Annual temperature drops 6.5°F moving to Berkeley per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Berkeley — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, BERKELEY, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Berkeley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 120,223 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $108,558 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 32.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 33.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 2.57 |
Households in Berkeley earn about 13.2% more at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Berkeley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October — 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
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Berkeley?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 183 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Berkeley more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Berkeley is 13.2% higher than Clovis (115.613 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Berkeley compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs Berkeley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $108,558 in Berkeley vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 8.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Berkeley?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 58.5°F in Berkeley vs 65.0°F in Clovis (6.5°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 26.1 in vs 11.0 in.
How far is Berkeley, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 183 mi and the route typically takes 3h 41m via CA 99 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Berkeley compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,443,684 in Berkeley vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 176.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Berkeley, CA.