Moving from Fairfield, CA to Hayward, CA
The 60 mi from Fairfield to Hayward translate to about 1h 14m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
60 mi Β· 1h 14m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 880, I 580 |
| 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
| Fairfield | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.6% pricier overall in Hayward than Fairfield on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hayward typical home at $848,427 is 6.6% above Fairfield at $609,269 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Fairfield -2.4%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fairfield | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.5" | 16.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.7Β°F vs 59.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAIRFIELD, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fairfield | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 119,985 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $102,321 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 36.8 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17.8% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.16 | 3.22 |
Income steps up 6.6%: $102,321 in Fairfield vs $113,775 in Hayward.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked
How far is Hayward, CA from Fairfield, CA?
The driving distance is 60 mi and the route typically takes 1h 14m via I 80 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fairfield vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $102,321 in Fairfield β a 11.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hayward more expensive than Fairfield?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 6.6% higher than Fairfield (115.613 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Fairfield?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $53,520 in the Fairfield MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 137,640 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fairfield to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 60 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Fairfield?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $609,269 in Fairfield β a 39.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fairfield.
City profiles: Fairfield, CA Β· Hayward, CA.