Moving from West Covina, CA to Glendale, AZ
It is a 351 mi drive, roughly 6h 21m, between West Covina, CA and Glendale, AZ. 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.
351 mi · 6h 21m by car · AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 95, I 10 EXPR |
| Major cities en route | Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Glendale | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 103.316 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 93.332 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 95.024 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 121.236 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.0% cheaper overall in Glendale than West Covina on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.0% drop on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Glendale -2.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | West Covina | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 72°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 90°F | 105°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 8.3" |
Annual temperature rises 6.8°F moving to Glendale per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Glendale — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, YOUNGTOWN, AZ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 250,193 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $70,139 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 15.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.88 |
Glendale households earn about 9.0% less than West Covina at the median — $98,570 → $70,139 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 314,170 | $45,080 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 205,010 | $34,400 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 204,700 | $37,700 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 199,140 | $40,870 |
| Management Occupations | 170,690 | $105,420 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arizona
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arizona's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 Glendale average 105°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Glendale sees only 8.3 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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.
- Register to vote in Arizona after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 351 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Glendale more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale is 9.0% lower than West Covina (103.316 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $70,139 in Glendale vs $98,570 in West Covina — a 28.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $407,332 in Glendale vs $852,373 in West Covina — a 52.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Glendale compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,600 in the Glendale MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 2,289,130 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Glendale, AZ from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 351 mi and the route typically takes 6h 21m via I 10 and US 95. The trip crosses 2 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between West Covina and Glendale?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 71.9°F in Glendale vs 65.1°F in West Covina (6.8°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 8.3 in vs 14.5 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA · Glendale, AZ.