Corpus Christi TX 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)
Corpus Christi, TX
Texas · Population: 317,383
- Median HH Income$66,325
- Median Home Price$226,494
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+24.3%
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
Corpus Christi
317,383
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Corpus Christi
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Corpus Christi
36.3
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Corpus Christi
8.7%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Corpus Christi
54.7%
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Corpus Christi
4.3%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Corpus Christi
2.5%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Corpus Christi
61.4%
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Corpus Christi
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 317,383 | 159,201 | Corpus Christi + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 38.2 | Corpus Christi + |
| Foreign Born | 8.7% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 54.7% | 19.6% | Corpus Christi + |
| Black | 4.3% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 61.4% | 40.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Corpus Christi
$66,325
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Corpus Christi
$33,579
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Corpus Christi
$63,758
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Corpus Christi
5.4%
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Corpus Christi
17.5%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,325 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,579 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4% | 5.9% | Corpus Christi + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.5% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.3% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Corpus Christi
$226,494
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Corpus Christi
57.9%
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $226,494 | $847,838 | Corpus Christi + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.9% | 57.0% | Corpus Christi + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
442
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
2339
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Corpus Christi + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Corpus Christi + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
39.7%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
15.9%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Corpus Christi
16.8%
Hayward
16.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
24.3%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
18.3%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Corpus Christi
13.5%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.7% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.3% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
72.1°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Corpus Christi
32.5 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 32.5 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Corpus Christi
9.2 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Corpus Christi
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Corpus Christi
22.0 min
Corpus Christi +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Corpus Christi, TX | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 36.7 min | Corpus Christi + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while corpus Christi offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,494. On public safety, Corpus Christi is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Corpus Christi 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
Corpus Christi, TX vs New York, NYCorpus Christi, TX vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Corpus Christi, TXCorpus Christi, TX vs Houston, TXCorpus Christi, TX vs Phoenix, AZCorpus Christi, TX vs Philadelphia, PA