Columbia 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)
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
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
Columbia
138,019
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbia
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbia
5.1%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Columbia
2.7%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Columbia
5.7%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Columbia
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 138,019 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.1% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 49.9% | 19.6% | Columbia + |
| Black | 39.5% | 9.0% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 5.7% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbia
$55,653
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Columbia
$38,087
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbia
$54,550
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Columbia
7.6%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Columbia
23.3%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,653 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,087 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 23.3% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.1% | 32.6% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Columbia
47.3%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $229,993 | $847,838 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.3% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbia
1999
Columbia +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Columbia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
34.4%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbia
12.1%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbia
19.2%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.2%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbia
17.7%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbia
13.0%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.4% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.2% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
66.7°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbia
46.3 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.7°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbia
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Columbia, SC | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.6 min | 36.7 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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