Moving from Simi Valley, CA to Hayward, CA
The 355 mi from Simi Valley to Hayward translate to about 6h 39m 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.
355 mi Β· 6h 39m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| 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
| Simi Valley | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Simi Valley (110.534) and Hayward (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Home prices line up β $844,909 vs $848,427 on Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Simi Valley -2.5%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Simi Valley | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 95Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.4" | 16.0" |
Climate cools by 6.6Β°F on the annual average β 66.3Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WOODLAND HILLS PIERCE COLLEGE, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Simi Valley | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,769 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $117,703 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 41.8 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.9% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 3.22 |
No material income gap at the median: ACS 2023 puts both cities within 5%.
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 much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Simi Valley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $844,909 in Simi Valley β a 0.4% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Hayward more expensive than Simi Valley?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 4.6% higher than Simi Valley (115.613 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Simi Valley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $48,380 in the Simi Valley MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Hayward, CA from Simi Valley, CA?
The driving distance is 355 mi and the route typically takes 6h 39m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Simi Valley vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $117,703 in Simi Valley β a 3.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Simi Valley to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 355 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 Simi Valley.
City profiles: Simi Valley, CA Β· Hayward, CA.