Moving from Dallas, TX to Clovis, CA
A 1564 mi cross-country move between Dallas and Clovis is 27h 31m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 4 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1564 mi · 27h 31m by car · TX → NM → AZ → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX → NM → AZ → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Allen, Plano |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Dallas | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level — BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.9% jump on the typical home value — a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Dallas -3.6%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Dallas | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 38°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 97°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.7" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 38.3" | 11.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Clovis — NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: DALLAS LOVE FLD, TX US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Dallas | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,299,553 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $67,760 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.46 | 2.99 |
Clovis households earn about 0.9% more than Dallas at the median — $67,760 → $100,360 on ACS 2023.
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.
Moving between Texas and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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 98°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 — 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Dallas?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $309,421 in Dallas — a 68.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Dallas?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $48,440 in the Dallas MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Dallas vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $67,760 in Dallas — a 48.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Dallas to Clovis?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1564 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Clovis more expensive than Dallas?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 0.9% lower than Dallas (102.158 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Clovis, CA from Dallas, TX?
The driving distance is 1564 mi and the route typically takes 27h 31m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Dallas and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 68.0°F in Dallas (3.0°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 1.7 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 38.3 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Dallas.
City profiles: Dallas, TX · Clovis, CA.