Moving from Clovis, CA to Denver, CO
A move from Clovis, CA to Denver, CO covers 1154 mi and around 20h 29m of driving through 5 state(s). At this range plan for a two- or three-day drive, a hauler or PODS container for household goods, and a noticeable shift in weather, tax jurisdiction, and housing market. The sections below pull the current BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA figures into one view.
1154 mi · 20h 29m by car · CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 70, I 15, US 50 |
| Major cities en route | Aurora, Centennial, Thornton, Westminster, Lakewood |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Denver | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 105.782 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 87.856 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 100.957 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 146.919 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Denver and Clovis is within ±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) — plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Clovis and Denver are within 5% of each other ($521,708 vs $539,666 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Denver -4.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 51°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 18°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 90°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 49.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 15.4" |
Denver is 13.6°F cooler on the annual average (65.0°F vs 51.4°F, NOAA 1991–2020).
Denver averages 49.0 in of annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — a full winter setup (heavy coat, snow tires, chains) is worth unpacking first.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, DENVER-STAPLETON, CO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 713,734 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $91,681 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 35.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 33.8% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 2.17 |
Median household income in Denver is 3.5% below Clovis ($100,360 → $91,681, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Denver MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 173,910 | $49,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 172,890 | $48,280 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 164,250 | $84,370 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 140,150 | $36,010 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 129,510 | $45,350 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Colorado
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Colorado'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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Denver averages 49.0 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Denver average 90°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (13.6°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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 Colorado after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Denver compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $539,666 in Denver vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 3.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Denver more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Denver is 3.5% higher than Clovis (105.782 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Denver?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 51.4°F in Denver vs 65.0°F in Clovis (13.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 49.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.4 in vs 11.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Denver?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1154 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Denver, CO from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 1154 mi and the route typically takes 20h 29m via I 70 and I 15. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs Denver?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,681 in Denver vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 8.6% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Denver compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $58,490 in the Denver MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 1,590,330 and 408,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Denver, CO.