Moving from Hayward, CA to Stockton, CA
Relocating between Hayward, CA and Stockton, CA is a 65 mi drive β 1h 20m 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.
65 mi Β· 1h 20m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 580, I 5, I 205 |
| Major cities en route | Modesto, Antioch, Concord, Oakland, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Stockton | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 105.089 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.247 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 115.614 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL drop: 9.1% cheaper overall in Stockton than Hayward on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
9.1% drop on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Stockton -3.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 64Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 17.3" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Effectively snow-free year in Stockton β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, STOCKTON FIRE STN 4, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 320,470 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $76,851 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 33.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 13% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.26 |
Expect median household income to fall 9.1% β $113,775 β $76,851 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Stockton MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 57,370 | $47,990 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 29,980 | $48,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 22,030 | $34,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 20,670 | $37,090 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 18,640 | $47,930 |
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 Stockton 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
Is Stockton more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Stockton is 9.1% lower than Hayward (105.089 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Stockton?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $76,851 in Stockton vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 32.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Stockton, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 65 mi and the route typically takes 1h 20m via I 580 and I 5. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Stockton compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,370 in the Stockton MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 278,010 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Stockton?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 65 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 Stockton compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $431,328 in Stockton vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 49.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Stockton, CA.