Bend OR 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)

Bend, OR

Oregon · Population: 97,502

  • Median HH Income$94,279
  • Median Home Price$735,193
  • Unemployment4.2%
  • Bachelor's+49.3%

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
Bend
97,502
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Bend +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Hayward
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Hayward
32.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Bend +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Hayward
2388
Hayward +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Hayward
10.8%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Hayward
18.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Bend +
Hayward
36.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $735,193. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Bend & Hayward