Moving from San Jose, CA to Clovis, CA
Moving from San Jose, CA to Clovis, CA covers 147 mi and about 3h 6m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully — the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
147 mi · 3h 6m by car · CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 152, US 101, CA 99 |
| Major cities en route | Fremont, Hayward, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Salinas |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Overall prices in Clovis are 7.5% below San Jose — a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Clovis typical home at $521,708 is 7.5% under San Jose at $1,463,614 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | San Jose | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 82°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 11.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean — 61.5°F vs 65.0°F per NOAA 1991–2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Clovis sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.99 |
Median household income in Clovis is 7.5% below San Jose ($141,565 vs $100,360, ACS 5-year 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.
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
Is Clovis more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 7.5% lower than San Jose (102.158 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Jose 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 147 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Clovis compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Clovis, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 147 mi and the route typically takes 3h 6m via CA 152 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $1,463,614 in San Jose — a 64.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $141,565 in San Jose — a 29.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
What is the climate difference between San Jose and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 61.5°F in San Jose (3.5°F warmer). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 16.1 in.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA · Clovis, CA.