Moving from Hayward, CA to Anaheim, CA
It is a 397 mi drive, roughly 7h 28m, between Hayward, CA and Anaheim, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
397 mi Β· 7h 28m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, I 5 TRUCK |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 1.8% above Hayward β $848,427 β $950,504 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 13.5" |
Annual temperature rises 8.0Β°F moving to Anaheim per NOAA normals.
Effectively snow-free year in Anaheim β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.26 |
Anaheim households earn about 1.8% less than Hayward at the median β $113,775 β $90,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 397 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 12.0% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Anaheim compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Anaheim more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 1.8% lower than Hayward (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Anaheim, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 397 mi and the route typically takes 7h 28m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 20.4% lower 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 Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Anaheim, CA.