Moving from Sugar Land, TX to Clovis, CA
Cross-country relocations like Sugar Land, TX → Clovis, CA cover 1762 mi and about 30h 30m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1762 mi · 30h 30m by car · CA → AZ → NM → TX
Distance & route
| Route through | CA → AZ → NM → TX |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 180, TX 130 |
| Major cities en route | Fresno, Visalia, Bakersfield, Santa Clarita, Simi Valley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sugar Land | Clovis | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 98.629 | 102.158 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 95.288 | 161.01 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.639 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 104.51 | 95.725 | 100.0 |
Clovis and Sugar Land are close on the overall BEA RPP (98.629 vs 102.158); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 3.6% higher in Clovis than Sugar Land as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Sugar Land -0.9%, Clovis 0.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Sugar Land | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71°F | 65°F |
| January avg low | 43°F | 41°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 98°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.1" | 11.0" |
Climate cools by 5.6°F on the annual average — 70.6°F → 65.0°F.
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: SUGAR LAND, TX US, FRESNO YOSEMITE INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sugar Land | Clovis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 109,735 | 122,719 |
| Median household income | $137,511 | $100,360 |
| Median age | 42.5 | 35.3 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.2% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.9 | 2.99 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 3.6% between Sugar Land and Clovis (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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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 does the job market in Clovis compare to Sugar Land?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,530 in the Clovis MSA vs $46,960 in the Sugar Land MSA, on total employment of 408,820 and 3,179,460 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Clovis more expensive than Sugar Land?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Clovis is 3.6% higher than Sugar Land (102.158 vs 98.629, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sugar Land vs Clovis?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $100,360 in Clovis vs $137,511 in Sugar Land — a 27.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Clovis, CA from Sugar Land, TX?
The driving distance is 1762 mi and the route typically takes 30h 30m via I 10 and US 180. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
What is the climate difference between Sugar Land and Clovis?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 65.0°F in Clovis vs 70.6°F in Sugar Land (5.6°F colder). Annual snowfall: 0.0 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 11.0 in vs 51.1 in.
How much do homes cost in Clovis compared to Sugar Land?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $521,708 in Clovis vs $447,176 in Sugar Land — a 16.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sugar Land 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 1762 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 Sugar Land.
City profiles: Sugar Land, TX · Clovis, CA.