Moving from Lakewood, CO to Hayward, CA
The drive from Lakewood, CO to Hayward, CA runs 1272 mi β about 21h 56m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1272 mi Β· 21h 56m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β CO
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β CO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 25, US 287 |
| 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
| Lakewood | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 105.782 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.856 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.957 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 146.919 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Hayward is 9.3% higher than Lakewood, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hayward is 9.3% above Lakewood β $573,913 vs $848,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Lakewood -2.6%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Lakewood | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 21Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 86Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 58.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 17.5" | 16.0" |
Climate warms by 9.3Β°F on the annual average β 50.4Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAKEWOOD, CO US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Lakewood | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,309 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $85,789 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.1% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.26 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 9.3% between Lakewood and Hayward (ACS 2023).
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.
Moving between Colorado and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
Is Hayward more expensive than Lakewood?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 9.3% higher than Lakewood (115.613 vs 105.782, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Lakewood?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $573,913 in Lakewood β a 47.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Lakewood vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $85,789 in Lakewood β a 32.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Lakewood?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $58,490 in the Lakewood MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,590,330 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Lakewood to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1272 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hayward, CA from Lakewood, CO?
The driving distance is 1272 mi and the route typically takes 21h 56m via I 80 and I 25. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Lakewood.
City profiles: Lakewood, CO Β· Hayward, CA.