Moving from Hayward, CA to Birmingham, AL
A 2305 mi cross-country move between Hayward and Birmingham is 40h 23m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 9 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2305 mi Β· 40h 23m by car Β· AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AL β MS β TN β AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, I 22 |
| Major cities en route | Memphis, Little Rock, Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Birmingham | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 91.644 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 83.803 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.397 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 71.851 | 100.0 |
You are looking at a 20.7% cheaper overall price level β 115.613 β 91.644 on the latest BEA Regional Price Parities.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
20.7% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Birmingham -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 35Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 91Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 1.4" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 56.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Light snow year: Birmingham gets around 1.4 in annually.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, BIRMINGHAM AP, AL US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 199,322 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $44,376 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 18.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.25 |
Birmingham households earn about 20.7% less than Hayward at the median β $113,775 β $44,376 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Birmingham MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 63,490 | $39,630 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 51,190 | $38,000 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 51,120 | $34,760 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 41,990 | $26,920 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 41,870 | $64,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Alabama
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Alabama'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 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Birmingham average 91Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Birmingham averages 56.6 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Hurricane season runs June through November on the Gulf Coast.
- 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 Alabama after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Birmingham?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $44,376 in Birmingham vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 61.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Birmingham compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $44,830 in the Birmingham MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 509,200 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Birmingham more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Birmingham is 20.7% lower than Hayward (91.644 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Birmingham?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2305 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Birmingham, AL from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 2305 mi and the route typically takes 40h 23m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 9 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Birmingham compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $135,870 in Birmingham vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 84.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Birmingham, AL.