Moving from Jacksonville, FL to Hayward, CA
A 2701 mi cross-country move between Jacksonville and Hayward is 48h 24m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 8 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.
2701 mi Β· 48h 24m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, US 17, FL 228 |
| Major cities en route | Tallahassee, Mobile, Jackson, Shreveport, Tyler |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Jacksonville | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 99.484 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 87.514 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 96.24 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 109.777 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall prices come in 16.2% above Jacksonville β 99.484 β 115.613 on the BEA RPP.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
16.2% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Jacksonville -3.1%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Jacksonville | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 71Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 47.6" | 16.0" |
Annual temperature drops 11.7Β°F moving to Hayward per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: JACKSONVILLE NAS, FL US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Jacksonville | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 961,739 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $66,981 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 36.4 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.6% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 3.22 |
Hayward households earn about 16.2% more than Jacksonville at the median β $66,981 β $113,775 on 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 Florida 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
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.7Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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
When is the best time to move from Jacksonville to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2701 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is Hayward, CA from Jacksonville, FL?
The driving distance is 2701 mi and the route typically takes 48h 24m via I 40 and US 17. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Jacksonville vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $66,981 in Jacksonville β a 69.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Jacksonville?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $282,895 in Jacksonville β a 199.9% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Jacksonville?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $45,420 in the Jacksonville MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 740,520 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hayward more expensive than Jacksonville?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 16.2% higher than Jacksonville (115.613 vs 99.484, 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 Jacksonville.
City profiles: Jacksonville, FL Β· Hayward, CA.