Moving from West Covina, CA to San Mateo, CA
Relocating between West Covina, CA and San Mateo, CA is a 388 mi drive β 7h 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.
388 mi Β· 7h 20m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Ontario, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level is comparable β 113.566 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 1.8% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $852,373 to $1,686,905 moving to San Mateo.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 19.6" |
Expect 6.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 1.8% β $98,570 β $152,669 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
- 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
When is the best time to move from West Covina to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 388 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 54.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 97.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Mateo, CA from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 388 mi and the route typically takes 7h 20m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Mateo more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 1.8% higher than West Covina (115.613 vs 113.566, 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 West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.