Albany GA vs Hayward CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Albany
67,939
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
Albany +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Albany
18.9%
Hayward
19.6%
Hayward +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Albany + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 18.9% | 19.6% | Hayward + |
| Black | 76.3% | 9.0% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $847,838 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 15.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 36.7 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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