Moving from Clovis, CA to Ontario, CA
Moving from Clovis, CA to Ontario, CA covers 260 mi and about 5h 3m 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.
260 mi Β· 5h 3m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Ontario | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Ontario and Clovis are close on the overall BEA RPP (102.158 vs 106.442); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Ontario typical home at $672,742 is 4.2% above Clovis at $521,708 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Ontario -1.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clovis | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 11.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.0Β°F vs 66.8Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, ONTARIO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Ontario |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 178,347 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $82,806 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 15.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 3.39 |
Median household income in Ontario is 4.2% below Clovis ($100,360 β $82,806, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Ontario MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
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 Ontario average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Ontario sees only 11.6 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 does household income compare in Clovis vs Ontario?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $82,806 in Ontario vs $100,360 in Clovis β a 17.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Ontario compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $672,742 in Ontario vs $521,708 in Clovis β a 28.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Ontario compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Ontario MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Ontario, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 260 mi and the route typically takes 5h 3m via CA 99 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Ontario more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Ontario is 4.2% higher than Clovis (106.442 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 Ontario?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 260 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA Β· Ontario, CA.