Fayetteville AR 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)
Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas · Population: 97,227
- Median HH Income$59,074
- Median Home Price$380,101
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+49.8%
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
Fayetteville
97,227
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fayetteville
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Fayetteville
28.7
Fayetteville +
Hayward
38.2
Foreign Born
Fayetteville
5.7%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Fayetteville
75.6%
Fayetteville +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Fayetteville
5.2%
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Asian
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Fayetteville
7.7%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Fayetteville
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,227 | 159,201 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.7 | 38.2 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.7% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 75.6% | 19.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Black | 5.2% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 3.1% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 7.7% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fayetteville
$59,074
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Fayetteville
$37,885
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fayetteville
$53,714
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Fayetteville
4.9%
Fayetteville +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fayetteville
21.4%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fayetteville
49.8%
Fayetteville +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,074 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,885 | $44,613 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $53,714 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.9% | 5.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.4% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.8% | 32.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fayetteville
$380,101
Fayetteville +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Fayetteville
41.9%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $380,101 | $847,838 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
660
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
2507
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 660 | 503 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2507 | 2388 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
33.5%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
7.5%
Fayetteville +
Hayward
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fayetteville
20.8%
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
10.5%
Fayetteville +
Hayward
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
17.6%
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fayetteville
12.0%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.5% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.5% | 11.7% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.8% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 11.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 15.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
58.2°F
Fayetteville +
Hayward
58.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fayetteville
45.5 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.2°F | 58.9°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.5 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fayetteville
9.5 µg/m³
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fayetteville
55.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.5 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fayetteville
19.9 min
Fayetteville +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Fayetteville, AR | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.9 min | 36.7 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $380,101. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Fayetteville. Fayetteville 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%.
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