Moving from Costa Mesa, CA to Clovis, CA
Relocating between Costa Mesa, CA and Clovis, CA is a 262 mi drive β 5h 5m 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.
262 mi Β· 5h 5m by car Β· 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
| Costa Mesa | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 10.0% cheaper overall in Clovis than Costa Mesa on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
10.0% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Costa Mesa +3.1%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Costa Mesa | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 79Β°F | 98Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 11.2" | 11.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Clovis β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Costa Mesa | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,538 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $110,073 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 36.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.99 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 10.0% lower in Clovis than Costa Mesa.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Clovis MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 46,600 | $45,210 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 40,930 | $38,480 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,500 | $32,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,440 | $33,710 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Occupations | 32,010 | $59,270 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Clovis average 98Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Clovis sees only 11.0 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
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Costa Mesa?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $50,490 in the Costa Mesa MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clovis more expensive than Costa Mesa?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 10.0% lower than Costa Mesa (102.158 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Costa Mesa?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $1,413,322 in Costa Mesa β a 63.1% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Costa Mesa to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 262 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Clovis, CA from Costa Mesa, CA?
The driving distance is 262 mi and the route typically takes 5h 5m via CA 99 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Costa Mesa vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $110,073 in Costa Mesa β a 8.8% lower 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 Costa Mesa.
City profiles: Costa Mesa, CA Β· Clovis, CA.