Moving from Clovis, CA to Garden Grove, CA
Relocating between Clovis, CA and Garden Grove, CA is a 251 mi drive — 4h 54m 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.
251 mi · 4h 54m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 5, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Orange |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Clovis | Garden Grove | 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 |
Expect roughly 11.2% higher cost of living — rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 11.2% higher home prices — ZHVI goes from $521,708 to $1,013,183 moving to Garden Grove.
YoY change: Clovis 0.0%, Garden Grove +1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Clovis | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65°F | 66°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 49°F |
| July avg high | 98°F | 83°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 12.5" |
Annual average temperatures in Clovis (65.0°F) and Garden Grove (66.1°F) stay within 5°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Garden Grove gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991–2020 normals — winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clovis | Garden Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 122,719 | 170,603 |
| Median household income | $100,360 | $90,166 |
| Median age | 35.3 | 39.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 18.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.99 | 3.51 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 11.2% lower in Garden Grove than Clovis.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Garden Grove 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
- Dry climate: Garden Grove sees only 12.5 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 — 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 does household income compare in Clovis vs Garden Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,166 in Garden Grove vs $100,360 in Clovis — a 10.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Garden Grove compare to Clovis?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Garden Grove 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.
What is the climate difference between Clovis and Garden Grove?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 66.1°F in Garden Grove vs 65.0°F in Clovis (1.1°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 12.5 in vs 11.0 in.
How much do homes cost in Garden Grove compared to Clovis?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,013,183 in Garden Grove vs $521,708 in Clovis — a 94.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Clovis to Garden Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 251 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Garden Grove more expensive than Clovis?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Garden Grove 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 far is Garden Grove, CA from Clovis, CA?
The driving distance is 251 mi and the route typically takes 4h 54m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clovis.
City profiles: Clovis, CA · Garden Grove, CA.