Moving from Irvine, CA to Hayward, CA
Relocating between Irvine, CA and Hayward, CA is a 402 mi drive β 7h 32m 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.
402 mi Β· 7h 32m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Corona, Costa Mesa, Jurupa Valley, Anaheim |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Irvine | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Irvine and Hayward 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 drops from $1,557,982 in Irvine to $848,427 in Hayward, a 1.8% decrease on the typical home value.
YoY change: Irvine -0.8%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Irvine | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 16.0" |
Expect 5.2Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: TUSTIN IRVINE RCH, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Irvine | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 308,160 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $129,647 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 33.9 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.4% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.75 | 3.22 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 1.8% lower in Hayward than Irvine.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Hayward 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 much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Irvine?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $1,557,982 in Irvine β a 45.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hayward, CA from Irvine, CA?
The driving distance is 402 mi and the route typically takes 7h 32m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Irvine?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $50,490 in the Irvine MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Irvine vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $129,647 in Irvine β a 12.2% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Irvine to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 402 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hayward more expensive than Irvine?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 1.8% higher than Irvine (115.613 vs 113.566, 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 Irvine.
City profiles: Irvine, CA Β· Hayward, CA.