Moving from Clovis, CA to Houston, TX
Cross-country relocations like Clovis, CA → Houston, TX cover 1764 mi and about 30h 35m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1764 mi · 30h 35m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, San Antonio |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Houston | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 98.629 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 95.288 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.639 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 104.51 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Clovis (102.158) and Houston (98.629) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Houston: 3.5% below Clovis on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Houston -2.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 71°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 44°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 93°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 54.1" |
Climate warms by 5.6°F on the annual average — 65.0°F → 70.6°F.
Effectively snow-free year in Houston — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, HOUSTON-PORT, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 2,300,419 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $62,894 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 34.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 2.51 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.5% between Clovis and Houston (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Houston MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 387,430 | $41,570 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 305,780 | $39,450 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 288,170 | $27,490 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 269,160 | $35,450 |
| Management Occupations | 268,670 | $109,460 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas'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.
- 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 Houston average 93°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: Houston averages 54.1 in of annual precipitation — waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- 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 Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Houston more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Houston is 3.5% lower than Clovis (98.629 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Houston?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1764 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Houston?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 70.6°F in Houston vs 65.0°F in Clovis (5.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 54.1 in vs 11.0 in.
How does the job market in Houston compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,960 in the Houston MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 3,179,460 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 Houston?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $62,894 in Houston vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 37.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Houston compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $264,336 in Houston vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 49.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Houston, TX from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 1764 mi and the route typically takes 30h 35m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 4 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 Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Houston, TX.