Moving from Clovis, CA to Riverside, CA
Relocating between Clovis, CA and Riverside, CA is a 279 mi drive — 5h 24m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
279 mi · 5h 24m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 210, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Fontana, Moreno Valley, Murrieta, Menifee |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Riverside | 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 |
Clovis and Riverside sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP — the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $521,708 in Clovis to $646,784 in Riverside, a 4.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 67°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 95°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 10.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.0°F vs 66.9°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 3.42 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.2% lower in Riverside than Clovis.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside 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 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 Riverside average 95°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 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 — 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
Is Riverside more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 4.2% higher than Clovis (106.442 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 11.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 24.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 279 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside 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 Riverside, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 279 mi and the route typically takes 5h 24m via CA 99 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Riverside?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.9°F in Riverside vs 65.0°F in Clovis (1.9°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 10.0 in vs 11.0 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Riverside, CA.