Moving from Clovis, CA to El Monte, CA
It is a 236 mi drive, roughly 4h 33m, between Clovis, CA and El Monte, CA. 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.
236 mi · 4h 33m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, 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 | El Monte | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 102.158 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 161.01 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 95.725 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
El Monte runs about 11.2% more expensive overall than Clovis — RPP 102.158 → 113.566.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $521,708 in Clovis to $765,444 in El Monte, a 11.2% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, El Monte +0.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 46°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 86°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 15.7" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 65.0°F vs 66.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: El Monte sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, SAN GABRIEL FIRE DEPT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | El Monte |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 107,066 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $64,484 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 11.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 3.62 |
El Monte households earn about 11.2% less than Clovis at the median — $100,360 → $64,484 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in El Monte MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
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
- 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 — 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 far is El Monte, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 236 mi and the route typically takes 4h 33m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and El Monte?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.0°F in El Monte vs 65.0°F in Clovis (1.0°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 15.7 in vs 11.0 in.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to El Monte?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 236 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is El Monte more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in El Monte is 11.2% higher than Clovis (113.566 vs 102.158, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in El Monte compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $765,444 in El Monte vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 46.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clovis vs El Monte?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,484 in El Monte vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 35.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in El Monte compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the El Monte MSA vs $44,530 in the Clovis MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 · El Monte, CA.