Moving from Clearwater, FL to Hayward, CA
Moving from Clearwater, FL to Hayward, CA is a 2778 mi cross-country relocation β about 50h 41m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
2778 mi Β· 50h 41m by car Β· CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL
Distance & route
| Route through | CA β AZ β NM β TX β LA β MS β AL β FL |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| 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
| Clearwater | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.89 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 88.525 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 95.47 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 125.839 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 14.6% pricier overall in Hayward than Clearwater 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 14.6% above Clearwater at $339,488 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Clearwater -5.1%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Clearwater | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 74Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 53Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 90Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 53.6" | 16.0" |
Hayward is 14.2Β°F cooler on the annual average (73.9Β°F vs 59.7Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ST PETERSBURG INTL AP, FL US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Clearwater | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,075 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $64,440 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 46.4 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.35 | 3.22 |
Median household income in Hayward is 14.6% above Clearwater ($64,440 vs $113,775, 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 Florida 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.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (14.2Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Clearwater to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2778 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 Clearwater?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $46,420 in the Clearwater MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,412,840 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hayward more expensive than Clearwater?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 14.6% higher than Clearwater (115.613 vs 100.89, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from Clearwater, FL?
The driving distance is 2778 mi and the route typically takes 50h 41m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Clearwater?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $339,488 in Clearwater β a 149.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Clearwater vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $64,440 in Clearwater β a 76.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Clearwater.
City profiles: Clearwater, FL Β· Hayward, CA.