Moving from Hayward, CA to Oakland, CA
Moving from Hayward, CA to Oakland, CA is a 14 mi drive, about 20 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
14 mi Β· 20 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 880, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Oakland | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Oakland and Hayward are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow typical home value is 0.0% lower in Oakland than Hayward as of 2026-03.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Oakland -8.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 72Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 22.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 59.7Β°F vs 59.6Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Oakland sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 438,072 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $97,369 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 37.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 2.53 |
Median household income in Oakland is 0.0% below Hayward ($113,775 β $97,369, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Oakland 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.
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
- 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
How much do homes cost in Oakland compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $716,248 in Oakland vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 15.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Oakland compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Oakland MSA vs $72,050 in the Hayward MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Oakland?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 14 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Oakland?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $97,369 in Oakland vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 14.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Oakland, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 14 mi and the route typically takes 20 min via I 880 and CA 92. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Oakland, CA.