Charleston SC 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)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
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
Charleston
152,014
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.2 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 72.9% | 19.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 9.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $44,613 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 32.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $847,838 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.8% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 36.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, 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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