Moving from Riverside, CA to Clovis, CA
It is a 279 mi drive, roughly 5h 24m, between Riverside, CA and Clovis, 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.
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
| Riverside | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable — 106.442 vs 102.158 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 4.0% lower home prices per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Riverside -1.4%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Riverside | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 95°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 10.0" | 11.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Riverside (66.9°F) and Clovis (65.0°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Clovis 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: RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Riverside | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $88,575 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 33.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.42 | 2.99 |
Households in Clovis earn about 4.0% more at the median — 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 Riverside?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $47,450 in the Riverside MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Riverside?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $646,784 in Riverside — a 19.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Clovis, CA from Riverside, 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 Riverside and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 66.9°F in Riverside (1.9°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 10.0 in.
How does household income compare in Riverside vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $88,575 in Riverside — a 13.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Riverside 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 279 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clovis more expensive than Riverside?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 4.0% lower than Riverside (102.158 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Riverside.
City profiles: Riverside, CA · Clovis, CA.