Moving from Fort Worth, TX to Hayward, CA
Cross-country relocations like Fort Worth, TX β Hayward, CA cover 1684 mi and about 29h 41m of driving through 4 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1684 mi Β· 29h 41m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 287, CA 58 |
| Major cities en route | Arlington, Irving, Grand Prairie, Carrollton, Lewisville |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Worth | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 103.09 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 90.711 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 102.838 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 117.874 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Hayward is 12.1% higher than Fort Worth, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hayward is 12.1% above Fort Worth β $298,051 vs $848,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fort Worth -2.8%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Worth | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 97Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | β | 16.0" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 67.5Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD NAAF, TX US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Worth | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 941,311 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $76,602 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 33.4 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.82 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 12.1% between Fort Worth and Hayward (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 Texas 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
- 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 the job market in Hayward compare to Fort Worth?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $48,440 in the Fort Worth MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,966,500 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hayward more expensive than Fort Worth?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 12.1% higher than Fort Worth (115.613 vs 103.09, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Fort Worth vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $76,602 in Fort Worth β a 48.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Fort Worth to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1684 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 Fort Worth?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $298,051 in Fort Worth β a 184.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hayward, CA from Fort Worth, TX?
The driving distance is 1684 mi and the route typically takes 29h 41m via I 40 and US 287. The trip crosses 4 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 Fort Worth.
City profiles: Fort Worth, TX Β· Hayward, CA.