Moving from Hayward, CA to Santa Clarita, CA
Moving from Hayward, CA to Santa Clarita, CA covers 333 mi and about 6h 12m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
333 mi Β· 6h 12m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 580, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Lancaster |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Hayward | Santa Clarita | 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 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Hayward (115.613) and Santa Clarita (113.566) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: Santa Clarita ZHVI at $802,016 is 1.8% below Hayward at $848,427.
YoY change: Hayward -6.3%, Santa Clarita -2.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Hayward | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 66Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 47Β°F |
| July avg high | 75Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.1" |
| Annual precipitation | 16.0" | 16.8" |
Santa Clarita runs 5.8Β°F warmer on the annual average (59.7Β°F vs 65.5Β°F, NOAA 1991β2020).
Effectively snow-free year in Santa Clarita β NOAA normals show near-zero annual snowfall.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US, NEWHALL 5NW, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Hayward | Santa Clarita |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 229,021 |
| Median household income | $113,775 | $119,926 |
| Median age | 38.2 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.2% | 26.5% |
| Avg household size | 3.22 | 3.04 |
Median household income in Santa Clarita is 1.8% above Hayward ($113,775 β $119,926, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clarita 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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Santa Clarita average 94Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 does the job market in Santa Clarita compare to Hayward?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Santa Clarita 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.
How does household income compare in Hayward vs Santa Clarita?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,926 in Santa Clarita vs $113,775 in Hayward β a 5.4% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Santa Clarita, CA from Hayward, CA?
The driving distance is 333 mi and the route typically takes 6h 12m via I 5 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Santa Clarita compared to Hayward?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $802,016 in Santa Clarita vs $848,427 in Hayward β a 5.5% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Hayward to Santa Clarita?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 333 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Santa Clarita more expensive than Hayward?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clarita is 1.8% lower than Hayward (113.566 vs 115.613, 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 Hayward.
City profiles: Hayward, CA Β· Santa Clarita, CA.