Moving from Downey, CA to Clovis, CA
Moving from Downey, CA to Clovis, CA covers 236 mi and about 4h 34m 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.
236 mi Β· 4h 34m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Downey | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
RPP moves from 113.566 to 102.158, putting Clovis roughly 10.0% below Downey on the overall price level.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Clovis: 10.0% below Downey on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Downey +1.2%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Downey | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 11.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Clovis β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Downey | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,793 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $87,400 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 37 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.99 |
Median household income in Clovis is 10.0% above Downey ($87,400 β $100,360, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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 Clovis average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 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 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 Downey vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $87,400 in Downey β a 14.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Downey?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $50,490 in the Downey MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Downey?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $888,710 in Downey β a 41.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Downey to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clovis more expensive than Downey?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 10.0% lower than Downey (102.158 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clovis, CA from Downey, CA?
The driving distance is 236 mi and the route typically takes 4h 34m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 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 Downey.
City profiles: Downey, CA Β· Clovis, CA.