Moving from Torrance, CA to Hayward, CA
Moving from Torrance, CA to Hayward, CA covers 374 mi and about 6h 59m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
374 mi Β· 6h 59m 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
| Torrance | 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 Torrance 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
Housing gap is large: Hayward typical home at $848,427 is 1.8% under Torrance at $1,124,932 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Torrance +0.9%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Torrance | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 76Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.8" | 16.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 62.5Β°F vs 59.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: REDONDO BEACH, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Torrance | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,499 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $113,105 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 43.1 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.2% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.59 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $113,105 vs $113,775 on 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
Is Hayward more expensive than Torrance?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 1.8% higher than Torrance (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Torrance vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $113,105 in Torrance β a 0.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Torrance?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $1,124,932 in Torrance β a 24.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Torrance to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 374 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Torrance?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $50,490 in the Torrance 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.
How far is Hayward, CA from Torrance, CA?
The driving distance is 374 mi and the route typically takes 6h 59m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. 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 Torrance.
City profiles: Torrance, CA Β· Hayward, CA.