Moving from Santa Clara, CA to Clovis, CA
Relocating between Santa Clara, CA and Clovis, CA is a 159 mi drive β 3h 20m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
159 mi Β· 3h 20m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 152, US 101, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, San Mateo, San Jose |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.5% moving from Santa Clara to Clovis β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI drops from $1,782,192 in Santa Clara to $521,708 in Clovis, a 7.5% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 60.7Β°F vs 65.0Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clovis sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.99 |
Expect median household income to fall 7.5% β $173,670 β $100,360 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 the job market in Clovis compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 42.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 159 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Santa Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 70.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clovis more expensive than Santa Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 7.5% lower than Santa Clara (102.158 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clovis, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 159 mi and the route typically takes 3h 20m via CA 152 and US 101. 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 Santa Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· Clovis, CA.