Moving from Hayward, CA to Simi Valley, CA
The 355 mi from Hayward to Simi Valley translate to about 6h 39m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
355 mi Β· 6h 39m 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 | Simi Valley | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.534 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 152.925 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 171.096 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Simi Valley 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 Simi Valley are within 5% of each other ($848,427 vs $844,909 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Simi Valley -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 16.4" |
Climate warms by 6.6Β°F on the annual average β 59.7Β°F β 66.3Β°F.
Simi Valley gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Simi Valley |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 125,769 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $117,703 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 41.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 24.9% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.84 |
Median household incomes in Hayward ($113,775) and Simi Valley ($117,703) are within a few percent (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Simi Valley MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 35,690 | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 33,940 | $34,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 29,050 | $37,470 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 23,520 | $39,670 |
| Management Occupations | 20,990 | $124,680 |
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 Simi Valley average 95Β°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
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Simi Valley?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 355 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Simi Valley compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $844,909 in Simi Valley vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 0.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Simi Valley compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 315,720 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Simi Valley?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $117,703 in Simi Valley vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 3.5% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Simi Valley, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 355 mi and the route typically takes 6h 39m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Simi Valley more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Simi Valley is 4.4% lower than Hayward (110.534 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· Simi Valley, CA.