Denver CO 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)
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
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
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Denver
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Denver
13.9%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Denver
8.8%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Denver
3.6%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Denver
27.9%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Denver
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 713,734 | 159,201 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 38.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 62.9% | 19.6% | Denver + |
| Black | 8.8% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 27.9% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Denver
$91,681
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Denver
$76,653
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Denver
11.2%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,681 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $61,202 | $44,613 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 5.9% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 55.6% | 32.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Denver
49.1%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $541,899 | $847,838 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
512
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Denver
3234
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 503 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 2388 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Hayward
24.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Denver
13.3%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Denver
25.9%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.6% | 24.9% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 11.7% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.5% | 16.8% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 25.9% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 10.8% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.2 in | 18.0 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Denver
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Denver
27.4 min
Denver +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Denver, CO | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.4 min | 36.7 min | Denver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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