Moving from Thousand Oaks, CA to Hayward, CA
It is a 369 mi drive, roughly 6h 55m, between Thousand Oaks, CA and Hayward, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
369 mi Β· 6h 55m 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
| Thousand Oaks | Hayward | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.6% under Thousand Oaks β $1,049,634 β $848,427 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: Thousand Oaks 0.0%, Hayward -6.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Thousand Oaks | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 63Β°F | 60Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 78Β°F | 75Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.0" | 16.0" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: CAMARILLO AP, CA US, HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Thousand Oaks | Hayward |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 125,676 | 159,201 |
| Median household income | $134,367 | $113,775 |
| Median age | 44.5 | 38.2 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 29.5% | 23.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.72 | 3.22 |
Households in Hayward earn about 4.6% less at the median β ACS 5-year 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
How does the job market in Hayward compare to Thousand Oaks?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the Hayward MSA vs $48,380 in the Thousand Oaks MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is Hayward more expensive than Thousand Oaks?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Hayward is 4.6% higher than Thousand Oaks (115.613 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is Hayward, CA from Thousand Oaks, CA?
The driving distance is 369 mi and the route typically takes 6h 55m via I 5 and I 5 TRUCK. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Thousand Oaks to Hayward?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 369 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 Thousand Oaks vs Hayward?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $113,775 in Hayward vs $134,367 in Thousand Oaks β a 15.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in Hayward compared to Thousand Oaks?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $848,427 in Hayward vs $1,049,634 in Thousand Oaks β a 19.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Thousand Oaks.
City profiles: Thousand Oaks, CA Β· Hayward, CA.