Moving from Hayward, CA to Norfolk, VA
Cross-country relocations like Hayward, CA β Norfolk, VA cover 2975 mi and about 52h 42m of driving through 12 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
2975 mi Β· 52h 42m by car Β· VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | VA β WV β KY β IN β IL β MO β IA β NE β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 64, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Norfolk | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 97.941 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 89.579 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 96.767 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 99.805 | 100.0 |
Norfolk is 15.3% 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 Norfolk is 15.3% below Hayward β $848,427 vs $306,227 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Norfolk +0.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 34Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 89Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 45.7" |
Annual average temperatures in Hayward (59.7Β°F) and Norfolk (61.4Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Norfolk averages 3.0 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, NORFOLK NAS, VA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Norfolk |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 235,037 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $64,017 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 32.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 19.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.49 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 15.3% between Hayward and Norfolk (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Norfolk MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 82,690 | $39,820 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 71,490 | $29,090 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 69,500 | $31,880 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 59,850 | $38,810 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 57,140 | $79,090 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Virginia
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Virginia'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-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-77 at Flat Top Mountain and I-64 through the Greenbrier Valley see chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-75 at Jellico Mountain (KY/TN border) sees chain requirements in winter storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
Frequently asked
Is Norfolk more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Norfolk is 15.3% lower than Hayward (97.941 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Norfolk?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $64,017 in Norfolk vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 43.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Norfolk compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $46,990 in the Norfolk MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 737,200 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Norfolk compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $306,227 in Norfolk vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 63.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Norfolk?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2975 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Norfolk, VA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 2975 mi and the route typically takes 52h 42m via I 80 and I 64. The trip crosses 12 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 Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Norfolk, VA.