Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 159,201 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.2 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 59.9% | 19.6% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $44,613 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 32.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $847,838 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.7% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.8% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 36.7 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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