Moving from Savannah, GA to Hayward, CA
Cross-country relocations like Savannah, GA β Hayward, CA cover 2698 mi and about 47h 34m of driving through 10 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.
2698 mi Β· 47h 34m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β OK β AR β TN β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 78, I 5 |
| 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
| Savannah | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 95.206 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.603 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.269 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 86.012 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall price level in Hayward runs 21.4% higher than Savannah β a substantial step-up on the BEA Regional Price Parity (95.206 β 115.613, 2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hayward is 21.4% above Savannah β $326,509 vs $848,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Savannah -3.5%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Savannah | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 68Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 40Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 48.1" | 16.0" |
Climate cools by 7.8Β°F on the annual average β 67.5Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAVANNAH INTL AP, GA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Savannah | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,546 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $56,782 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 33.7 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.52 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 21.4% between Savannah 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 Georgia 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.
- I-40 through the Smokies and I-75 near Jellico Mountain can see chain requirements 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 household income compare in Savannah vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $56,782 in Savannah β a 100.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Savannah?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $43,490 in the Savannah MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 188,970 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hayward more expensive than Savannah?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 21.4% higher than Savannah (115.613 vs 95.206, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from Savannah, GA?
The driving distance is 2698 mi and the route typically takes 47h 34m via I 40 and US 78. The trip crosses 10 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Savannah to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2698 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Savannah?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $326,509 in Savannah β a 159.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Savannah.
City profiles: Savannah, GA Β· Hayward, CA.