Atlanta 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Atlanta +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 159,201 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.2 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 39.9% | 19.6% | Atlanta + |
| Black | 46.9% | 9.0% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $44,613 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 32.6% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Atlanta +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $847,838 | Atlanta + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Atlanta +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Atlanta + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Atlanta +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 11.4% | Atlanta + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Atlanta, 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
Atlanta
28.7 min
Atlanta +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 36.7 min | Atlanta + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while atlanta offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $387,752. On public safety, Atlanta 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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