Arlington TX 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Arlington +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 159,201 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 38.2 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 43.2% | 19.6% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 9.0% | Arlington + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 32.6% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Arlington +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $847,838 | Arlington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Arlington +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Arlington +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Arlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Arlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
33.8%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Arlington
29.0 min
Arlington +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 36.7 min | Arlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while arlington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,683. On public safety, Arlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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