Living in Clovis, CA
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• 2025 Top 100 Best Places to Live
• 2024 Top 100 Best Places to Live

Thinking of moving to Clovis, CA? You’ve come to the right place! You will find all the details about living here, from insight into the quality of life and cost of living to details about industry and job opportunities to lists of fun things to do.

Why You’ll Love Living in Clovis, CA

Located east of Fresno in the San Joaquin Valley, Clovis, CA, will charm you with its old-town feel and reel you in with its commitment to the health and well-being of its residents.

Established as a freight stop on the San Joaquin Valley Railroad, Clovis’ main drag (or Old Town, as it’s known) looks as though you’re taking a step back in time, with cobblestone streets and old-fashioned storefronts. But this district is thoroughly modern today, with eclectic dining spots, a hopping beer scene, vibrant nightlife and fabulous shopping (don’t miss the Vintage & Antiques District). The city also hosts a Vintage Market three times a year with even more antiques and collectibles. 

But, of course, while it relishes its Old West history, the city also fully embraces being a city of forward thinkers, and living in Clovis means always looking toward the future. Though many communities in California take environmentalism seriously, it takes it a step further with its thorough plans to ensure that the city is sustainable with its Urban Greening Master Plan. This plan identifies plans for bicycle transportation, urban forest management, improved air and water, and generally ensuring it’s a healthier city in the future. 

In addition to environmental health, Clovis is a great place to take care of your physical health. The 126,598 people who live in Clovis have access to its impressive number of doctors (250 physicians per 100,000 residents, which lands it in the top 50% of California cities), a level 1 trauma center hospital and nearby Fresno’s health care facilities.

Top Reasons to Move to Clovis

• Clovis is family-friendly thanks to the Clovis Unified School District, a consistent National Blue Ribbon winner.
• As the Gateway to the Sierra, providing residents with easy access to Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park, Clovis is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.
• There are plenty of economic opportunities in Clovis, and the city is known for its economic stability driven by health care and agriculture.
• Clovis offers a California lifestyle at a discount, with significantly more housing value and lower congestion. 

Clovis is a charming city in central California, just east of Fresno along State Route 168. The nearest airport, Fresno Yosemite International Airport, is about 10 miles away. The city sits on flat farmland, but the Sierra Nevada Mountains loom nearby for outdoor escapes. When you’re ready to roam, here’s how close you are to some major nearby cities:

• Fresno is just 10 miles west, where you can visit the Fresno Art Museum, explore Underground Gardens, or cheer at Chukchansi Park.
• Visalia sits 40 miles south, offering the Fox Theatre, ImagineU Children’s Museum, and scenic Mooney Grove Park.
• Modesto is about 90 miles northwest, tempting with a historic downtown, McHenry Mansion, and lovely Graceada Park.

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, the area enjoys hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Located in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the city features mostly clear skies and low humidity, with most rainfall occurring during the mild winter and early spring months.

The city has shown steady growth in recent years, benefiting from its proximity to Fresno. The local economy comprises several industries, including agriculture, education and retail trade. The Clovis Unified School District is one of the largest employers in the city.

The cost of living in Clovis is above the national average. The median home value in Clovis is $465,261, and the average household income is $102,690.

There is a state income tax in California. In 2026, the combined sales tax rate in Clovis is 8.975%.

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Residents can appreciate all that comes with living in a community-focused area. The city’s charming downtown is a hub for social gatherings and has several quaint boutiques and restaurants. Annual events like the Clovis Rodeo and ClovisFest, with its hot air balloon display, provide opportunities for community celebration. Explore the city’s history at the Dan Rouit Flat Track Museum and the Forestiere Underground Gardens in nearby Fresno, or take a leisurely stroll through the Clovis Botanical Garden or the Shinzen Japanese Garden. The Clovis Antique Mall and A Book Barn offer unique shopping experiences, while Blackbeard’s Family Entertainment Center and Wild Water Adventure Park provide fun for all ages.

Clovis is California cool, providing residents with a wealth of outdoor activities, capitalizing on its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains and its own green spaces. Known as the “Gateway to the Sierra,” the city offers easy access to skiing and snowboarding during winter, as well as hiking, camping and fishing in the Sierra National Forest during warmer months. Residents can also enjoy local outdoor attractions such as the Clovis Botanical Garden, the Dry Creek Trail and Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, which offers boating and fishing.

The city’s location allows for convenient day trips to iconic national parks like Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia, as well as large local parks like Woodward Park, enhancing the outdoor recreational opportunities for residents.

The local and diverse dining scene blends traditional flavors and contemporary culinary trends. Thanks to initiatives from the Clovis Culinary Center, there is a lot of culinary talent. Residents benefit and can enjoy a wide selection, from trendy brewpubs and barbecue joints to international flavors. Clovis commits to quality and local food sourcing, offering plenty of farm-to-table options. 

Families can take comfort in the fact that the area is known for its strong educational system, which the Clovis Unified School District primarily manages. The district has a large number of schools that are rated above average and has some of the best schools in the state. There are also several highly-rated private schools in both Clovis and nearby Fresno.