Downey 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)
Downey, CA
California · Population: 114,617
- Median HH Income$68,378
- Median Home Price$888,820
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+10.6%
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
Downey
114,617
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Downey
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Downey
34.0
Downey +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Downey
39.4%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Downey
21.0%
Downey +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Downey
0.4%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Downey
1.5%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Downey
95.6%
Downey +
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Downey
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,617 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 38.2 | Downey + |
| Foreign Born | 39.4% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 21.0% | 19.6% | Downey + |
| Black | 0.4% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 95.6% | 40.9% | Downey + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Downey
$68,378
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Downey
$23,265
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Downey
$77,230
Hayward
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Downey
6.0%
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Poverty Rate
Downey
16.6%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Downey
10.6%
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $68,378 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,265 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 5.9% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 10.6% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Downey
$888,820
Hayward
$847,838
Hayward +
Homeownership Rate
Downey
33.7%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $888,820 | $847,838 | Hayward + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
503
Hayward
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Downey
2388
Hayward
2388
Tie
| Metric | Downey, 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
Downey
27.6%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Downey
11.8%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Downey
16.1%
Downey +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Downey
14.8%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Downey
16.1%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Downey
9.9%
Downey +
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.6% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 16.8% | Downey + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 10.8% | Downey + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Downey
14.3 in
Downey +
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 14.3 in | 18.0 in | Downey + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Downey
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Downey
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Downey, 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
Downey
33.1 min
Downey +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Downey, CA | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 36.7 min | Downey + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while hayward offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $847,838. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Downey. 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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