Moving from Hayward, CA to San Mateo, CA
Relocating from Hayward, CA to San Mateo, CA? The drive is 14 mi β about 18 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
14 mi Β· 18 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Hayward and San Mateo sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $848,427 in Hayward to $1,686,905 in San Mateo, a 0.0% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 19.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.7Β°F vs 58.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% β $113,775 β $152,669 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo 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.
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
- 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 household income compare in Hayward vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 34.2% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 14 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 14 mi and the route typically takes 18 min via CA 92. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 98.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.