Hayward CA vs High Point NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Hayward, CA
California · Population: 159,201
- Median HH Income$113,775
- Median Home Price$847,838
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
High Point
37.8
High Point +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
High Point
14.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
High Point
32.7%
High Point +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
High Point
8.2%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 115,263 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.8 | High Point + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 14.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 9.0% | 32.7% | High Point + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 8.2% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
High Point
$61,228
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
High Point
$34,492
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
High Point
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $61,228 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $34,492 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 14.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $251,699 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
High Point
1999
High Point +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | High Point + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
High Point
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
High Point
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
High Point
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
High Point
14.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 37.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.2% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 60.6°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 46.1 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 22.7 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, 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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