Moving from Oakland, CA to Clovis, CA
Moving from Oakland, CA to Clovis, CA covers 174 mi and about 3h 32m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
174 mi · 3h 32m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 580, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Berkeley, Richmond, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Clovis are 11.6% below Oakland — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Clovis typical home at $521,708 is 11.6% under Oakland at $716,248 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Oakland | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 45°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 72°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 11.0" |
Clovis runs 5.4°F warmer on the annual average (59.6°F vs 65.0°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clovis sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.99 |
Household income lines up — $97,369 vs $100,360 on ACS 5-year 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 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 Clovis 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: 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 — 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 the job market in Clovis compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $716,248 in Oakland — a 27.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Clovis, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 174 mi and the route typically takes 3h 32m via CA 99 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $97,369 in Oakland — a 3.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Clovis more expensive than Oakland?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 11.6% lower than Oakland (102.158 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Oakland and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 59.6°F in Oakland (5.4°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 22.6 in.
When is the best time to move from Oakland to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 174 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA · Clovis, CA.