Moving from Hayward, CA to Downey, CA
Moving from Hayward, CA to Downey, CA covers 373 mi and about 6h 58m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
373 mi Β· 6h 58m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| 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
| Hayward | Downey | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Downey and Hayward is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values in Hayward and Downey are within 5% of each other ($848,427 vs $888,710 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Downey +1.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 12.0" |
Downey runs 5.2Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.7Β°F vs 64.9Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, LONG BEACH DAUGHERTY FLD, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Downey |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 111,793 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $87,400 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 37 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 17.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Downey is 1.8% below Hayward ($113,775 vs $87,400, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Downey MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Downey sees only 12.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
How does the job market in Downey compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Downey MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Downey compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $888,710 in Downey vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 4.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Downey, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 373 mi and the route typically takes 6h 58m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Downey?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $87,400 in Downey vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 23.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Downey?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 373 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Downey more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Downey is 1.8% lower than Hayward (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Downey, CA.