Moving from Fargo, ND to Hayward, CA
It is 1784 mi and 31h 10m from Fargo to Hayward β a cross-country move across 5 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1784 mi Β· 31h 10m by car Β· CA β NV β ID β MT β ND
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β ID β MT β ND |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 80, US 191 |
| 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
| Fargo | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.871 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 77.324 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.654 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 81.142 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 90.871 in Fargo to 115.613 in Hayward, putting overall prices 27.2% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 27.2% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $314,973 to $848,427 moving to Hayward.
YoY change: Fargo +4.2%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fargo | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 41Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | -2Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 16.0" |
Expect 18.3Β°F warmer on average per year β plan for air conditioning and a summer-heavy wardrobe.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FARGO 3S, ND US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fargo | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,064 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $66,029 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 32.2 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.2 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to rise 27.2% β $66,029 β $113,775 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 North Dakota 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.
- Lookout Pass (I-90) and Galena Summit (SH-75) require winter tires or chains during storms.
- Montana interstates can close without notice in winter storms β check MDT 511 before entering the state November through April.
- I-29 and I-94 can close without notice in winter storms; travel bans are declared more than once most winters.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (18.3Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 far is Hayward, CA from Fargo, ND?
The driving distance is 1784 mi and the route typically takes 31h 10m via I 94 and I 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Fargo vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $66,029 in Fargo β a 72.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Fargo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $314,973 in Fargo β a 169.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hayward more expensive than Fargo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 27.2% higher than Fargo (115.613 vs 90.871, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Fargo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $48,110 in the Fargo MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 145,680 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Fargo to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1784 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β 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 Fargo.
City profiles: Fargo, ND Β· Hayward, CA.