Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
42.0%
White
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
29.6%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 159,201 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 42.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 40.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
$113,775
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $113,775 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $44,613 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
Asheville +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $847,838 | Asheville + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Asheville +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Asheville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 11.7% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 16.8% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 11.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 15.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Asheville +
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 58.9°F | Asheville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Asheville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $461,425. On public safety, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. 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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