Corona CA 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)
Corona, CA
California · Population: 158,839
- Median HH Income$106,438
- Median Home Price$765,560
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
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
Corona
158,839
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corona
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Corona
37.3
Corona +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Corona
24.2%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Corona
41.6%
Corona +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Corona
5.3%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Corona
11.5%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Corona
48.3%
Corona +
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Corona
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 158,839 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.3 | 38.2 | Corona + |
| Foreign Born | 24.2% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 41.6% | 19.6% | Corona + |
| Black | 5.3% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 11.5% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 48.3% | 40.9% | Corona + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corona
$106,438
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Corona
$40,453
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corona
$77,230
Hayward
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Corona
5.4%
Corona +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Corona
9.1%
Corona +
Hayward
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Corona
30.9%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $106,438 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,453 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Corona + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.1% | 9.5% | Corona + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.9% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corona
$765,560
Corona +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Corona
63.4%
Corona +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,560 | $847,838 | Corona + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 57.0% | Corona + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
503
Hayward
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corona
2388
Hayward
2388
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
35.1%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corona
17.2%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corona
11.1%
Corona +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corona
15.1%
Corona +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corona
10.8%
Hayward
10.8%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.1% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.7% | Corona + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.4% | Corona + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.8% | Corona + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.8% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corona
N/A
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corona
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corona
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corona
38.4 min
Hayward
36.7 min
Hayward +
| Metric | Corona, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 38.4 min | 36.7 min | Hayward + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while corona offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,560. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Corona. Corona has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Corona, CA vs New York, NYCorona, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Corona, CACorona, CA vs Houston, TXCorona, CA vs Phoenix, AZCorona, CA vs Philadelphia, PA