Moving from Fayetteville, NC to Hayward, CA
It is 2829 mi and 50h 2m from Fayetteville to Hayward β a cross-country move across 12 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.
2829 mi Β· 50h 2m by car Β· NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NC β SC β GA β AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Columbia, Atlanta, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, Birmingham |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fayetteville | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 91.978 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.779 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.621 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.081 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 91.978 in Fayetteville to 115.613 in Hayward, putting overall prices 25.7% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 25.7% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $225,534 to $848,427 moving to Hayward.
YoY change: Fayetteville +0.3%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fayetteville | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 32Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 91Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 1.2" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.9" | 16.0" |
Annual average temperatures in Fayetteville (61.9Β°F) and Hayward (59.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FAYETTEVILLE (PWC), NC US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fayetteville | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 209,692 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $56,395 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 30.7 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 18.6% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to rise 25.7% β $56,395 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 Carolina 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
- I-40 through Pigeon Gap and I-26 over Saluda Grade can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements in winter storms.
- 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
- 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 Fayetteville vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $56,395 in Fayetteville β a 101.7% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hayward, CA from Fayetteville, NC?
The driving distance is 2829 mi and the route typically takes 50h 2m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Fayetteville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $225,534 in Fayetteville β a 276.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fayetteville to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2829 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hayward more expensive than Fayetteville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 25.7% higher than Fayetteville (115.613 vs 91.978, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Fayetteville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $41,480 in the Fayetteville MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 130,480 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fayetteville.
City profiles: Fayetteville, NC Β· Hayward, CA.