Moving from Hayward, CA to Elk Grove, CA
Moving from Hayward, CA to Elk Grove, CA covers 98 mi and about 1h 60m 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.
98 mi Β· 1h 60m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 580, CA 4 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Modesto, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Elk Grove is 7.7% cheaper than Hayward overall, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Elk Grove is 7.7% below Hayward β $848,427 vs $637,450 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 18.1" |
Annual average temperatures in Hayward (59.7Β°F) and Elk Grove (61.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.24 |
Median household income in Elk Grove is 7.7% above Hayward ($113,775 β $122,229, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 far is Elk Grove, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 98 mi and the route typically takes 1h 60m via CA 99 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 7.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 98 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 Elk Grove compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 24.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 7.7% lower than Hayward (106.67 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· Elk Grove, CA.