Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to Clovis, CA
It is a 162 mi drive, roughly 3h 24m, between Sunnyvale, CA and Clovis, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
162 mi Β· 3h 24m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 152, US 101, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Oakland, Hayward, San Mateo, Fremont, Santa Clara |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | 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 |
Expect about 7.5% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Clovis at 102.158 vs Sunnyvale at 110.423.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.5% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $2,168,909 to $521,708 moving to Clovis.
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 11.0" |
Annual temperature rises 5.1Β°F moving to Clovis per NOAA normals.
Clovis gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.99 |
Clovis households earn about 7.5% less than Sunnyvale at the median β $181,862 β $100,360 on 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 much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 75.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Clovis more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 7.5% lower than Sunnyvale (102.158 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale 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.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 162 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Clovis, CA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 162 mi and the route typically takes 3h 24m via CA 152 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 44.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· Clovis, CA.