Moving from Hayward, CA to Santa Rosa, CA
Relocating between Hayward, CA and Santa Rosa, CA is a 77 mi drive β 1h 35m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
77 mi Β· 1h 35m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 880, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Richmond, Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Santa Rosa | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 107.784 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 154.777 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 139.569 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 6.8% cheaper overall in Santa Rosa than Hayward on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 6.8% under Hayward β $848,427 β $718,726 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Santa Rosa -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 38Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 31.5" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Rosa β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, SANTA ROSA, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Santa Rosa |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 177,216 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $97,410 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 40.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 21.3% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 6.8% lower in Santa Rosa than Hayward.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Rosa MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,200 | $36,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 22,130 | $50,550 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 19,610 | $42,770 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 15,180 | $45,180 |
| Management Occupations | 14,030 | $119,330 |
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
Is Santa Rosa more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Rosa is 6.8% lower than Hayward (107.784 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Santa Rosa?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,410 in Santa Rosa vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Santa Rosa?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 77 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Santa Rosa, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 77 mi and the route typically takes 1h 35m via US 101 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Rosa compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $718,726 in Santa Rosa vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 15.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Santa Rosa compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $51,670 in the Santa Rosa MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 206,310 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· Santa Rosa, CA.