Moving from Rochester, MN to Hayward, CA
Cross-country relocations like Rochester, MN β Hayward, CA cover 1979 mi and about 34h 11m of driving through 6 states. Expect a multi-day trip and a meaningful change in climate, cost-of-living, and job market. The sections below compare each data layer directly from BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA.
1979 mi Β· 34h 11m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β SD β MN
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β SD β MN |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, US 14 |
| 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
| Rochester | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 90.821 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.389 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.433 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 78.628 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Major COL jump: 27.3% higher overall in Hayward vs Rochester on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes run dramatically pricier in Hayward: 27.3% above Rochester on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Rochester +3.9%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Rochester | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 45Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 7Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 53.1" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.7" | 16.0" |
Climate warms by 14.9Β°F on the annual average β 44.8Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ROCHESTER INTL AP, MN US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rochester | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 121,638 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $87,767 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 27.3% between Rochester 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 Minnesota 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.
- I-90 across western South Dakota can close in ground blizzards β check SD 511 November through April.
- I-35 and I-94 across Minnesota can see short closures in winter storms β check MnDOT 511.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably warmer climate (14.9Β°F higher annual average). Keep summer clothing accessible and consider donating or storing heavy winter gear.
- 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 Rochester?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 27.3% higher than Rochester (115.613 vs 90.821, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Rochester?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $55,970 in the Rochester MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 119,430 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Rochester?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $339,455 in Rochester β a 149.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Rochester vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $87,767 in Rochester β a 29.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hayward, CA from Rochester, MN?
The driving distance is 1979 mi and the route typically takes 34h 11m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Rochester to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1979 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 Rochester.
City profiles: Rochester, MN Β· Hayward, CA.