Cheyenne WY 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)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
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
Cheyenne
58,754
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
Cheyenne +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 38.2 | Cheyenne + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 89.9% | 19.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Hayward
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $77,230 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $847,838 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 57.0% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 503 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2388 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 11.7% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.8% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 15.8% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 58.9°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 18.0 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 36.7 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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