Moving from Santa Ana, CA to Hayward, CA
The 395 mi from Santa Ana to Hayward translate to about 7h 23m 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.
395 mi Β· 7h 23m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | 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 |
Hayward and Santa Ana are close on the overall BEA RPP (113.566 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home values are comparable between the two cities on the latest Zillow ZHVI.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 16.0" |
Climate cools by 6.4Β°F on the annual average β 66.1Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 1.8% between Santa Ana 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
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 395 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 Santa Ana vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 28.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hayward, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 395 mi and the route typically takes 7h 23m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hayward more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 1.8% higher than Santa Ana (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 2.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· Hayward, CA.