Moving from Sacramento, CA to Hayward, CA
It is a 100 mi drive, roughly 1h 60m, between Sacramento, CA and Hayward, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
100 mi Β· 1h 60m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 880, I 80 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Antioch, Vallejo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sacramento | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.67 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 151.29 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 130.23 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 8.4% above Sacramento β 106.67 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
8.4% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Sacramento -2.5%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sacramento | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 41Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 94Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.2" | 16.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sacramento | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 524,802 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $83,753 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 35.7 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.63 | 3.22 |
Hayward households earn about 8.4% more than Sacramento at the median β $83,753 β $113,775 on 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 far is Hayward, CA from Sacramento, CA?
The driving distance is 100 mi and the route typically takes 1h 60m via I 80 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Sacramento?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $55,290 in the Sacramento MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,048,170 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Sacramento?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $479,766 in Sacramento β a 76.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hayward more expensive than Sacramento?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 8.4% higher than Sacramento (115.613 vs 106.67, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Sacramento to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 100 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Sacramento vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $83,753 in Sacramento β a 35.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sacramento.
City profiles: Sacramento, CA Β· Hayward, CA.