Fort Lauderdale FL 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)
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Florida · Population: 183,032
- Median HH Income$79,935
- Median Home Price$510,297
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+39.8%
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
Fort Lauderdale
183,032
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
159,201
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Hayward
N/A
Median Age
Fort Lauderdale
42.9
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Foreign Born
Fort Lauderdale
26.7%
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
White
Fort Lauderdale
51.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
19.6%
Black
Fort Lauderdale
28.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
9.0%
Asian
Fort Lauderdale
1.6%
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Hispanic
Fort Lauderdale
20.1%
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spanish at Home
Fort Lauderdale
N/A
Hayward
N/A
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 183,032 | 159,201 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.9 | 38.2 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 26.7% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 51.3% | 19.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Black | 28.8% | 9.0% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 20.1% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fort Lauderdale
$79,935
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Per Capita Income
Fort Lauderdale
$57,845
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
$44,613
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fort Lauderdale
$65,328
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Unemployment Rate
Fort Lauderdale
5.3%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Fort Lauderdale
15.2%
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fort Lauderdale
39.8%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
32.6%
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,935 | $113,775 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,845 | $44,613 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $77,230 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 5.9% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.2% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 39.8% | 32.6% | Fort Lauderdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
$510,297
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
$847,838
Homeownership Rate
Fort Lauderdale
53.8%
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $510,297 | $847,838 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.8% | 57.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
324
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
1453
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
2388
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 503 | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2388 | Fort Lauderdale + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
30.3%
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
12.8%
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fort Lauderdale
16.2%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
16.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.7%
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
14.9%
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fort Lauderdale
13.0%
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.3% | 24.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.8% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.8% | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 10.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
75.5°F
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fort Lauderdale
66.5 in
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 75.5°F | 58.9°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.5 in | 18.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fort Lauderdale
7.2 µg/m³
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fort Lauderdale
75.0%
Hayward
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fort Lauderdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fort Lauderdale
28.5 min
Fort Lauderdale +
Hayward
36.7 min
| Metric | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Hayward, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.5 min | 36.7 min | Fort Lauderdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while fort Lauderdale offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,297. On public safety, Fort Lauderdale is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Fort Lauderdale has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fort Lauderdale, FL vs New York, NYFort Lauderdale, FL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fort Lauderdale, FLFort Lauderdale, FL vs Houston, TXFort Lauderdale, FL vs Phoenix, AZFort Lauderdale, FL vs Philadelphia, PA