Moving from Norman, OK to Hayward, CA
It is 1628 mi and 28h 40m from Norman to Hayward β a cross-country move across 5 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.
1628 mi Β· 28h 40m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 5, CA 58 |
| 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
| Norman | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.408 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 74.067 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 93.778 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 73.885 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Hayward is 27.9% above Norman β one of the larger spreads between U.S. metros.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
27.9% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Norman +2.0%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Norman | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 28Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 93Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 4.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 37.7" | 16.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: NORMAN 3SSE, OK US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Norman | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 128,714 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $65,060 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 31.6 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.2% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.22 |
Expect median household income to rise 27.9% β $65,060 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 Oklahoma 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-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
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
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Norman?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $44,030 in the Norman MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 656,800 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hayward, CA from Norman, OK?
The driving distance is 1628 mi and the route typically takes 28h 40m via I 40 and I 5. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Norman?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $262,839 in Norman β a 222.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Norman vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $65,060 in Norman β a 74.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hayward more expensive than Norman?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 27.9% higher than Norman (115.613 vs 90.408, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Norman to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1628 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Norman.
City profiles: Norman, OK Β· Hayward, CA.