Moving from Alexandria, VA to Hayward, CA
Cross-country relocations like Alexandria, VA β Hayward, CA cover 2832 mi and about 49h 55m of driving through 12 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.
2832 mi Β· 49h 55m by car Β· CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β MD β VA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β NV β UT β WY β NE β IA β IL β IN β OH β PA β MD β VA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 90, I 76 |
| 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
| Alexandria | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.884 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.7 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 104.847 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 151.134 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.2% pricier overall in Hayward than Alexandria on the 2024 BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Hayward typical home at $848,427 is 6.2% above Alexandria at $676,205 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Alexandria -0.2%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Alexandria | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 30Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 13.7" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 41.8" | 16.0" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.3Β°F vs 59.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Alexandria | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $113,638 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 37.5 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.08 | 3.22 |
Household income lines up β $113,638 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.
Moving between Virginia 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-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- I-64 across Afton Mountain and I-77 at Fancy Gap 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 Alexandria vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $113,638 in Alexandria β a 0.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hayward, CA from Alexandria, VA?
The driving distance is 2832 mi and the route typically takes 49h 55m via I 80 and I 90. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Hayward more expensive than Alexandria?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 6.2% higher than Alexandria (115.613 vs 108.884, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Alexandria?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $65,110 in the Alexandria MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 3,092,070 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Alexandria?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $676,205 in Alexandria β a 25.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Alexandria to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2832 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 Alexandria.
City profiles: Alexandria, VA Β· Hayward, CA.