Aurora CO 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)
Aurora, CO
Colorado · Population: 390,201
- Median HH Income$84,320
- Median Home Price$464,881
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
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
Aurora
390,201
Aurora +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Aurora
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Aurora
35.1
Aurora +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Aurora
21.8%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Aurora
49.2%
Aurora +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Aurora
15.8%
Aurora +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Aurora
6.0%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Aurora
30.6%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Aurora
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 390,201 | 159,201 | Aurora + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Aurora + |
| Foreign Born | 21.8% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 49.2% | 19.6% | Aurora + |
| Black | 15.8% | 9.0% | Aurora + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 30.6% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Aurora
$84,320
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Aurora
$40,424
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Aurora
$76,653
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Aurora
5.7%
Aurora +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Aurora
11.3%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Aurora
32.9%
Aurora +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,320 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,424 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 5.9% | Aurora + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 32.6% | Aurora + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Aurora
$464,881
Aurora +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Aurora
63.3%
Aurora +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $464,881 | $847,838 | Aurora + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.3% | 57.0% | Aurora + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
512
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Aurora
3234
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
29.1%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Aurora
9.5%
Aurora +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Aurora
17.6%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Aurora
16.1%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Aurora
17.4%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Aurora
12.7%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.1% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Aurora + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.6% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Aurora
N/A
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Aurora
6.2 µg/m³
Aurora +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Aurora
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Aurora + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Aurora
30.9 min
Aurora +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.9 min | 36.7 min | Aurora + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while aurora offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $464,881. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Aurora. Aurora has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Aurora has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
Compare More Cities
Aurora, CO vs New York, NYAurora, CO vs Los Angeles, CAAurora, CO vs Chicago, ILAurora, CO vs Houston, TXAurora, CO vs Phoenix, AZAurora, CO vs Philadelphia, PA