Athens 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)
Athens, GA
Georgia · Population: 126,987
- Median HH Income$51,655
- Median Home Price$341,821
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
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
Athens
126,987
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Athens
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Athens
29.2
Athens +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Athens
9.8%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Athens
57.6%
Athens +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Athens
26.2%
Athens +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Athens
4.3%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Athens
11.5%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Athens
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,987 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 29.2 | 38.2 | Athens + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 57.6% | 19.6% | Athens + |
| Black | 26.2% | 9.0% | Athens + |
| Asian | 4.3% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 11.5% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Athens
$51,655
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Athens
$31,836
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Athens
$57,405
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Athens
5.2%
Athens +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Athens
26.3%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Athens
48.7%
Athens +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,655 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,836 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 5.9% | Athens + |
| Poverty Rate | 26.3% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 48.7% | 32.6% | Athens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Athens
$341,821
Athens +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Athens
40.5%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $341,821 | $847,838 | Athens + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.5% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
392
Athens +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Athens
1752
Athens +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Athens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Athens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hayward
24.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Athens
N/A
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Athens
N/A
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
62.6°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Athens
46.3 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Athens
9.8 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Athens
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Athens, 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
Athens
22.3 min
Athens +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Athens, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.3 min | 36.7 min | Athens + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while athens offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $341,821. On public safety, Athens is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Athens has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
Compare More Cities
Athens, GA vs New York, NYAthens, GA vs Los Angeles, CAAthens, GA vs Chicago, ILAthens, GA vs Houston, TXAthens, GA vs Phoenix, AZAthens, GA vs Philadelphia, PA