Moving from West Covina, CA to Mobile, AL
A 1989 mi cross-country move between West Covina and Mobile is 34h 33m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 7 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1989 mi Β· 34h 33m by car Β· AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, US 87, US 90 |
| Major cities en route | New Orleans, Beaumont, Pasadena, League City, Houston |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| West Covina | Mobile | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 88.098 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 84.185 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 60.116 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 22.4% cheaper overall price level β 113.566 β 88.098 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
22.4% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: West Covina +0.7%, Mobile -2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | West Covina | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 69Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.5" | 60.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: POMONA/FAIRPLEX, CA US, MOBILE DWTN AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | West Covina | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,436 | 185,097 |
| Median household income | $98,570 | $51,090 |
| Median age | 40.1 | 37.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.4% | 20% |
| Avg household size | 3.3 | 2.39 |
Mobile households earn about 22.4% less than West Covina at the median β $98,570 β $51,090 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Mobile MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 20,320 | $36,270 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 19,630 | $37,950 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 16,350 | $31,060 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 14,680 | $23,720 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 12,550 | $64,370 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- 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 Mobile average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Mobile averages 60.5 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Mobile compare to West Covina?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $41,660 in the Mobile MSA vs $50,490 in the West Covina MSA, on total employment of 169,730 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from West Covina to Mobile?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1989 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in West Covina vs Mobile?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $51,090 in Mobile vs $98,570 in West Covina β a 48.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Mobile compared to West Covina?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $194,564 in Mobile vs $852,373 in West Covina β a 77.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Mobile, AL from West Covina, CA?
The driving distance is 1989 mi and the route typically takes 34h 33m via I 10 and US 87. The trip crosses 7 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Mobile more expensive than West Covina?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Mobile is 22.4% lower than West Covina (88.098 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from West Covina.
City profiles: West Covina, CA Β· Mobile, AL.