Moving from Glendale, CA to Hayward, CA
The 358 mi from Glendale to Hayward translate to about 6h 42m 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.
358 mi Β· 6h 42m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Long Beach, Fullerton |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Glendale | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Glendale (113.566) and Hayward (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically cheaper in Hayward: 1.8% below Glendale on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Glendale -0.6%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Glendale | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.5" | 16.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Glendale | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $84,262 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 41.4 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.7% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.8% between Glendale 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.
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
Is Hayward more expensive than Glendale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 1.8% higher than Glendale (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from Glendale, CA?
The driving distance is 358 mi and the route typically takes 6h 42m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Glendale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $50,490 in the Glendale MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Glendale to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 358 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 Glendale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $1,201,880 in Glendale β a 29.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Glendale vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $84,262 in Glendale β a 35.0% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Glendale.
City profiles: Glendale, CA Β· Hayward, CA.