Moving from San Diego, CA to Hayward, CA
It is a 476 mi drive, roughly 9h, between San Diego, 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.
476 mi Β· 9h by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, Carlsbad, Oceanside |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Diego | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 111.887 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 174.247 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 107.963 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 179.267 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
San Diego and Hayward sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Hayward run about 3.3% cheaper β ZHVI $1,001,265 β $848,427 (2026-03).
YoY change: San Diego -3.2%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Diego | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 64Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 80Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 11.0" | 16.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 64.1Β°F vs 59.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN DIEGO MONTGOMERY FLD, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Diego | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $104,321 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 36 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 28.8% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.65 | 3.22 |
Households in Hayward earn about 3.3% more at the median β ACS 5-year 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 household income compare in San Diego vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $104,321 in San Diego β a 9.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to San Diego?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $53,090 in the San Diego MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,522,620 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to San Diego?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $1,001,265 in San Diego β a 15.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Diego to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 476 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Hayward more expensive than San Diego?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 3.3% higher than San Diego (115.613 vs 111.887, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from San Diego, CA?
The driving distance is 476 mi and the route typically takes 9h 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 San Diego.
City profiles: San Diego, CA Β· Hayward, CA.