Edison NJ 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)
Edison, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$634,102
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Edison
N/A
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Edison
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Edison
N/A
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Edison
N/A
Hayward
42.0%
White
Edison
N/A
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Edison
N/A
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Edison
N/A
Hayward
29.6%
Hispanic
Edison
N/A
Hayward
40.9%
Spanish at Home
Edison
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 159,201 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 38.2 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 42.0% | - |
| White | N/A | 19.6% | - |
| Black | N/A | 9.0% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 29.6% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 40.9% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Edison
N/A
Hayward
$113,775
Per Capita Income
Edison
N/A
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Edison
$77,416
Edison +
Hayward
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Edison
N/A
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Edison
N/A
Hayward
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Edison
N/A
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $113,775 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $44,613 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Edison + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 5.9% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 9.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 32.6% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Edison
$634,102
Edison +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Edison
N/A
Hayward
57.0%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $634,102 | $847,838 | Edison + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 57.0% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edison
218
Edison +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Edison
1426
Edison +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Edison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Edison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Hayward
24.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Edison
N/A
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Edison
N/A
Hayward
10.8%
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 24.9% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.7% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 16.8% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.8% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edison
N/A
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Edison
N/A
Hayward
18.0 in
| Metric | Edison, NJ | 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.)
Edison
8.7 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Edison
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Edison
N/A
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Edison, NJ | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 36.7 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Edison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $634,102. On public safety, Edison is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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