Moving from Clovis, CA to Carlsbad, CA
Moving from Clovis, CA to Carlsbad, CA covers 316 mi and about 6h 10m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
316 mi Β· 6h 10m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 99, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Lancaster, Santa Clarita |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Carlsbad | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 111.887 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 174.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 107.963 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 179.267 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.5% pricier overall in Carlsbad than Clovis on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Carlsbad typical home at $1,370,649 is 9.5% above Clovis at $521,708 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Carlsbad -3.9%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clovis | Carlsbad |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 48Β°F |
| July avg high | 98Β°F | 74Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 11.4" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 65.0Β°F vs 62.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, CARLSBAD PALOMAR AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Carlsbad |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 114,500 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $139,326 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 42.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 36.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 2.6 |
Median household income in Carlsbad is 9.5% above Clovis ($100,360 vs $139,326, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Carlsbad MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 166,920 | $48,270 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 155,650 | $35,470 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 123,300 | $38,790 |
| Management Occupations | 114,190 | $134,250 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 112,110 | $83,560 |
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
- Dry climate: Carlsbad sees only 11.4 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
Is Carlsbad more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Carlsbad is 9.5% higher than Clovis (111.887 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Carlsbad compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $53,090 in the Carlsbad MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 1,522,620 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Carlsbad compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,370,649 in Carlsbad vs $521,708 in Clovis β a 162.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Carlsbad?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 316 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Carlsbad, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 316 mi and the route typically takes 6h 10m via I 5 and CA 99. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs Carlsbad?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $139,326 in Carlsbad vs $100,360 in Clovis β a 38.8% higher 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 Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA Β· Carlsbad, CA.