Moving from Hayward, CA to Little Rock, AR
A 1943 mi cross-country move between Hayward and Little Rock is 33h 53m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 6 states. Nearly every household line β rent, taxes, climate, commute β usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
1943 mi Β· 33h 53m by car Β· AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | AR β OK β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, CA 58, US 65 |
| Major cities en route | Norman, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Little Rock | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 89.364 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 74.635 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 93.577 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 68.295 | 100.0 |
BEA RPP drops from 115.613 in Hayward to 89.364 in Little Rock, a 22.7% cut on the overall price level (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 22.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $848,427 to $216,519 moving to Little Rock.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Little Rock +2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 31Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 92Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 3.8" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 50.4" |
Annual average temperatures in Hayward (59.7Β°F) and Little Rock (61.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Little Rock averages 3.8 in of snow a year on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β a light winter by U.S. standards.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, LITTLE ROCK AP ADAMS FLD, AR US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Little Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 202,739 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $60,583 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 36.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 25% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.33 |
Little Rock households earn about 22.7% less than Hayward at the median β $113,775 β $60,583 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Little Rock MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 43,980 | $37,850 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 33,840 | $37,820 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 31,830 | $31,870 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 30,330 | $67,930 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 29,950 | $27,320 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and Arkansas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Arkansas'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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Little Rock average 92Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Pack rain gear on top: Little Rock averages 50.4 in of annual precipitation β waterproof jackets and boots are worth unpacking before the big boxes.
- Tornado risk peaks April through May β identify a safe room on day one.
- 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 Arkansas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in Little Rock compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $42,100 in the Little Rock MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 345,890 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Little Rock compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $216,519 in Little Rock vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 74.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Little Rock, AR from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 1943 mi and the route typically takes 33h 53m via I 40 and CA 58. The trip crosses 6 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Little Rock?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 1943 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Little Rock more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Little Rock is 22.7% lower than Hayward (89.364 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Little Rock?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $60,583 in Little Rock vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 46.8% 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· Little Rock, AR.