Moving from Clovis, CA to Palmdale, CA
The 210 mi from Clovis to Palmdale translate to about 4h 5m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary — MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
210 mi · 4h 5m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, CA 58 BUS, CA 14 |
| Major cities en route | Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Palmdale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP moves from 102.158 in Clovis to 113.566 in Palmdale, a 11.2% bump on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up — $521,708 vs $501,257 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Palmdale -1.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 64°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 35°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 7.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Palmdale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, PALMDALE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Palmdale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 165,487 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $81,151 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 3.56 |
Income steps down 11.2%: $100,360 in Clovis vs $81,151 in Palmdale.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Palmdale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Palmdale average 98°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Palmdale sees only 7.3 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 — 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 Palmdale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $81,151 in Palmdale vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 19.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Palmdale more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Palmdale is 11.2% higher than Clovis (113.566 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Palmdale compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $501,257 in Palmdale vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 3.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Palmdale, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 210 mi and the route typically takes 4h 5m via CA 99 and CA 58 BUS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Palmdale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 210 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 Palmdale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.6°F in Palmdale vs 65.0°F in Clovis (1.4°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 7.3 in vs 11.0 in.
How does the job market in Palmdale compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Palmdale MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 408,820 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 Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Palmdale, CA.