Moving from Laredo, TX to Hayward, CA
It is 1763 mi and 31h 26m from Laredo to Hayward β a cross-country move across 4 states. Housing, cost of living, climate, and tax picture all tend to shift substantially at this distance. This page pulls the current figures from each federal source and Zillow Research into one comparison.
1763 mi Β· 31h 26m by car Β· TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 10, I 5, US 67 |
| Major cities en route | El Paso, Las Cruces, Tucson, Mesa, Chandler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Laredo | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 86.956 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 80.614 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.757 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 59.746 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP climbs from 86.956 in Laredo to 115.613 in Hayward, putting overall prices 33.0% above the origin.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 33.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $220,331 to $848,427 moving to Hayward.
YoY change: Laredo +2.5%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Laredo | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 75Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 100Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.7" | 16.0" |
Expect 15.3Β°F colder on average per year β plan for heating load and winter gear.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: LAREDO 2, TX US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Laredo | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,949 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $63,264 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 29.7 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.1% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.36 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to rise 33.0% β $63,264 β $113,775 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Texas 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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (15.3Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Laredo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $220,331 in Laredo β a 285.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Hayward, CA from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance is 1763 mi and the route typically takes 31h 26m via I 10 and I 5. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Laredo to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1763 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Laredo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $35,220 in the Laredo MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 104,610 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Laredo vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $63,264 in Laredo β a 79.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hayward more expensive than Laredo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 33.0% higher than Laredo (115.613 vs 86.956, 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 Laredo.
City profiles: Laredo, TX Β· Hayward, CA.