Moving from Garden Grove, CA to West Covina, CA
Relocating from Garden Grove, CA to West Covina, CA? The drive is 24 mi — about 43 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
24 mi · 43 min by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | N8, CA 60 |
| Major cities en route | Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Irvine, Costa Mesa |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Garden Grove | West Covina | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 113.566 vs 113.566 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect around 0.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Garden Grove +1.4%, West Covina +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Garden Grove | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 49°F | 43°F |
| July avg high | 83°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 14.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Garden Grove (66.1°F) and West Covina (65.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
West Covina gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Garden Grove | West Covina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,603 | 107,436 |
| Median household income | $90,166 | $98,570 |
| Median age | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.9% | 21.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.51 | 3.3 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 0.0% higher in West Covina than Garden Grove.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in West Covina 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 West Covina average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: West Covina sees only 14.5 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 Garden Grove vs West Covina?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $98,570 in West Covina vs $90,166 in Garden Grove — a 9.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is West Covina, CA from Garden Grove, CA?
The driving distance is 24 mi and the route typically takes 43 min via N8 and CA 60. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in West Covina compared to Garden Grove?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $852,373 in West Covina vs $1,013,183 in Garden Grove — a 15.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in West Covina compare to Garden Grove?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the West Covina MSA vs $50,490 in the Garden Grove MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Garden Grove to West Covina?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 24 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
What is the climate difference between Garden Grove and West Covina?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.1°F in West Covina vs 66.1°F in Garden Grove (1.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 14.5 in vs 12.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Garden Grove.
City profiles: Garden Grove, CA · West Covina, CA.