Moving from Gresham, OR to Hayward, CA
The drive from Gresham, OR to Hayward, CA runs 658 mi β about 12h 47m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
658 mi Β· 12h 47m by car Β· CA β OR
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β OR |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 505, I 5, OR 99 |
| 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
| Gresham | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.421 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.974 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.222 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.114 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 9.7% pricier overall in Hayward than Gresham 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 9.7% above Gresham at $471,181 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Gresham -0.5%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Gresham | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 55Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 37Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 40.7" | 16.0" |
Climate warms by 5.0Β°F on the annual average β 54.7Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: PORTLAND TROUTDALE AP, OR US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Gresham | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $73,608 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 37.2 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.2% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.68 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.7% between Gresham 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 Oregon 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.
- Cascade passes on I-84 and OR-58 can require chains or close entirely during winter storms.
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
Is Hayward more expensive than Gresham?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 9.7% higher than Gresham (115.613 vs 105.421, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Gresham to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 658 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Gresham?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $55,940 in the Gresham MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,206,150 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Gresham vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $73,608 in Gresham β a 54.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Gresham?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $471,181 in Gresham β a 80.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hayward, CA from Gresham, OR?
The driving distance is 658 mi and the route typically takes 12h 47m via I 505 and I 5. The trip crosses 2 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 Gresham.
City profiles: Gresham, OR Β· Hayward, CA.