Columbus GA 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)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
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
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Columbus +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 159,201 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.2 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 39.3% | 19.6% | Columbus + |
| Black | 46.7% | 9.0% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $847,838 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 503 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2388 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 15.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 36.7 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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