Moving from Murrieta, CA to Hayward, CA
Relocating between Murrieta, CA and Hayward, CA is a 440 mi drive β 8h 15m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
440 mi Β· 8h 15m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, I 5 TRUCK, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Mateo |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Murrieta | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Expect roughly 8.6% higher cost of living β rent and services usually drive most of a gap this size.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 8.6% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $688,358 to $848,427 moving to Hayward.
YoY change: Murrieta -1.5%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Murrieta | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 65Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 47Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 87Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 15.3" | 16.0" |
Expect 5.4Β°F colder year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: FALLBROOK 5 NE, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Murrieta | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 111,621 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $109,780 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 36 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.6% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.15 | 3.22 |
Median household incomes in Murrieta ($109,780) and Hayward ($113,775) are within a few percent (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.
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
Is Hayward more expensive than Murrieta?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 8.6% higher than Murrieta (115.613 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Murrieta?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $47,450 in the Murrieta MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
When is the best time to move from Murrieta to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 440 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 Murrieta vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $109,780 in Murrieta β a 3.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Hayward, CA from Murrieta, CA?
The driving distance is 440 mi and the route typically takes 8h 15m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Murrieta?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $688,358 in Murrieta β a 23.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Murrieta.
City profiles: Murrieta, CA Β· Hayward, CA.