Moving from Sacramento, CA to Clovis, CA
Relocating between Sacramento, CA and Clovis, CA is a 171 mi drive — 3h 26m 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.
171 mi · 3h 26m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 80 BUSINESS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Antioch, Stockton, Modesto |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 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
Housing comes in 4.2% above Sacramento — $479,766 → $521,708 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sacramento | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 41°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 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: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 2.99 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.2% higher in Clovis than Sacramento.
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 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
- 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.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Clovis compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clovis more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 4.2% lower than Sacramento (102.158 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $83,753 in Sacramento — a 19.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clovis, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 171 mi and the route typically takes 3h 26m via CA 99 and I 80 BUSINESS. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Sacramento and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 63.4°F in Sacramento (1.6°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 19.2 in.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $479,766 in Sacramento — a 8.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento 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 171 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA · Clovis, CA.