Moving from Fort Collins, CO to Hayward, CA
The drive from Fort Collins, CO to Hayward, CA runs 1203 mi β about 20h 43m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
1203 mi Β· 20h 43m by car Β· CO β WY β UT β NV β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CO β WY β UT β NV β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 287, CO 14 |
| Major cities en route | Greeley, Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Sparks |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Fort Collins | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 101.128 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 82.156 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.052 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 120.592 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Hayward is 14.3% higher than Fort Collins, per BEA Regional Price Parities (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Hayward is 14.3% above Fort Collins β $563,815 vs $848,427 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03). Budget the mortgage math early.
YoY change: Fort Collins -1.4%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Fort Collins | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 51Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 18Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 51.4" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.9" | 16.0" |
Climate warms by 9.0Β°F on the annual average β 50.7Β°F β 59.7Β°F.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FT COLLINS, CO US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Fort Collins | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,705 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $83,598 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 30.6 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34.3% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.4 | 3.22 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 14.3% between Fort Collins 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 Colorado 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
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April β check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 across southern Wyoming frequently closes in winter storms November through April β check WYDOT 511 before departure.
- 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 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Hayward, CA from Fort Collins, CO?
The driving distance is 1203 mi and the route typically takes 20h 43m via I 80 and US 287. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Fort Collins?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $563,815 in Fort Collins β a 50.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Fort Collins to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1203 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 Fort Collins?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $50,820 in the Fort Collins MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 173,230 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How does household income compare in Fort Collins vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $83,598 in Fort Collins β a 36.1% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Hayward more expensive than Fort Collins?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 14.3% higher than Fort Collins (115.613 vs 101.128, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Fort Collins.
City profiles: Fort Collins, CO Β· Hayward, CA.