Dallas 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)

Dallas, TX

Texas · Population: 1,299,553

  • Median HH Income$67,760
  • Median Home Price$311,957
  • Unemployment4.9%
  • Bachelor's+37.4%

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
Dallas
1,299,553
Dallas +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Dallas
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Dallas
33.4
Dallas +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Dallas
23.4%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Dallas
23.7%
Dallas +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Dallas
3.7%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Dallas
41.9%
Dallas +
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Dallas
N/A
Hayward
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Dallas
$67,760
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Dallas
$44,138
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Dallas
$63,758
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Dallas
4.9%
Dallas +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Dallas
17.2%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Dallas
37.4%
Dallas +
Hayward
32.6%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Dallas
$311,957
Dallas +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Dallas
42.4%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
442
Dallas +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Dallas
2339
Dallas +
Hayward
2388

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
36.8%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Dallas
12.4%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Dallas
17.8%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Dallas
22.7%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Dallas
17.4%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Dallas
13.0%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
65.9°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Dallas
40.6 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Dallas
9.2 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Dallas
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Dallas
28.3 min
Dallas +
Hayward
36.7 min

Which City is Right for You?

Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while dallas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $311,957. On public safety, Dallas is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Dallas has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Dallas & Hayward