Birmingham AL 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)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
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
Birmingham
199,322
Birmingham +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Birmingham +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Birmingham +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 159,201 | Birmingham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 38.2 | Birmingham + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 25.6% | 19.6% | Birmingham + |
| Black | 67.1% | 9.0% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $847,838 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 503 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 2388 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Birmingham +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 11.4% | Birmingham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 15.8% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 36.7 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 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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