Hayward CA vs Houston TX — 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%
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Houston
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Houston
34.3
Houston +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Houston
28.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Houston
35.5%
Houston +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Houston
22.9%
Houston +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Houston
6.9%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Houston
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 2,300,419 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | Houston + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 28.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 35.5% | Houston + |
| Black | 9.0% | 22.9% | Houston + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 6.9% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 44.1% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Houston
$62,894
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Houston
$41,142
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Houston
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Houston
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Houston
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $62,894 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $41,142 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.7% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 19.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 36.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Houston
42.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $265,062 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 42.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Houston
442
Houston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Houston
2339
Houston +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Houston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Houston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Houston
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Houston
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Houston
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Houston
24.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Houston
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Houston
13.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 38.0% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.9% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.1% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 24.0% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.6% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Houston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Houston
48.7 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 48.7 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Houston
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Houston
29.6 min
Houston +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Houston, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 29.6 min | Houston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, Houston is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. 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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