Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 159,201 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 38.2 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 49.4% | 19.6% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 9.0% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 32.6% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $847,838 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 503 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 2388 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Cincinnati +
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | 58.9°F | Cincinnati + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 36.7 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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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