Moving from Los Angeles, CA to Hayward, CA
The 361 mi from Los Angeles to Hayward translate to about 6h 42m 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.
361 mi Β· 6h 42m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Fullerton, Pasadena, Downey, West Covina, El Monte |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Los Angeles | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Los Angeles (113.566) and Hayward (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Hayward ZHVI at $848,427 is 1.8% below Los Angeles at $952,183.
YoY change: Los Angeles -1.4%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Los Angeles | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 48Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 14.1" | 16.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CULVER CITY, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Los Angeles | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $80,366 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 36.9 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.5% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.8% between Los Angeles 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.
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 does the job market in Hayward compare to Los Angeles?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $50,490 in the Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $80,366 in Los Angeles β a 41.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Los Angeles?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $952,183 in Los Angeles β a 10.9% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Los Angeles to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 361 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hayward more expensive than Los Angeles?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 1.8% higher than Los Angeles (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from Los Angeles, CA?
The driving distance is 361 mi and the route typically takes 6h 42m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 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 Los Angeles.
City profiles: Los Angeles, CA Β· Hayward, CA.