Moving from Clovis, CA to Sacramento, CA
It is a 171 mi drive, roughly 3h 26m, between Clovis, CA and Sacramento, 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.
171 mi · 3h 26m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Sacramento | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.4% under Clovis — $521,708 → $479,766 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 63°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 94°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 19.2" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Sacramento — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 2.63 |
Households in Sacramento earn about 4.4% less at the median — ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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 Sacramento average 94°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 Sacramento more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento is 4.4% higher than Clovis (106.67 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 171 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 8.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Sacramento, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 171 mi and the route typically takes 3h 26m via CA 99 and I 80 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Sacramento?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 63.4°F in Sacramento vs 65.0°F in Clovis (1.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 19.2 in vs 11.0 in.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 16.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Sacramento, CA.