Moving from Boulder, CO to Hayward, CA
It is 1254 mi between Boulder and Hayward β roughly 21h 36m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 5 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
1254 mi Β· 21h 36m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 287, I 25 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Boulder | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.202 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.741 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 157.02 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 9.9% above Boulder β 105.202 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 9.9% under Boulder β $964,531 β $848,427 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Boulder -2.0%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Boulder | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 52Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 22Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 88Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 92.8" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.2" | 16.0" |
Annual temperature rises 8.2Β°F moving to Hayward per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BOULDER, CO US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Boulder | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $85,364 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 28.8 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 36.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.42 | 3.22 |
Hayward households earn about 9.9% more than Boulder at the median β $85,364 β $113,775 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hayward MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Colorado 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 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
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β 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 household income compare in Boulder vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $85,364 in Boulder β a 33.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Boulder to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1254 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Boulder?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $64,750 in the Boulder MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 194,440 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Boulder?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $964,531 in Boulder β a 12.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hayward more expensive than Boulder?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 9.9% higher than Boulder (115.613 vs 105.202, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from Boulder, CO?
The driving distance is 1254 mi and the route typically takes 21h 36m via I 80 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Boulder.
City profiles: Boulder, CO Β· Hayward, CA.