Hayward CA vs Irving 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%
Irving, TX
Texas · Population: 255,036
- Median HH Income$79,641
- Median Home Price$344,888
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+41.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Irving
255,036
Irving +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Irving
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Irving
32.8
Irving +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Irving
41.9%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Irving
36.7%
Irving +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Irving
12.9%
Irving +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Irving
22.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Irving
43.0%
Irving +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 255,036 | Irving + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.8 | Irving + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 41.9% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 36.7% | Irving + |
| Black | 9.0% | 12.9% | Irving + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 22.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 43.0% | Irving + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Irving
$79,641
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Irving
$39,462
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Irving
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Irving
4.3%
Irving +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Irving
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Irving
41.6%
Irving +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $79,641 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $39,462 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | Irving + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 11.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 41.6% | Irving + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Irving
$344,888
Irving +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Irving
38.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $344,888 | Irving + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 38.3% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Irving
442
Irving +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Irving
2339
Irving +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Irving + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Irving + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Irving
31.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Irving
10.5%
Irving +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Irving
16.2%
Irving +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Irving
20.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Irving
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Irving
11.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 31.6% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Irving + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Irving + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 20.6% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.0% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.2% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Irving
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Irving
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Irving
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Irving
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, 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
Irving
26.0 min
Irving +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Irving, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 26.0 min | Irving + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while irving offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,888. On public safety, Irving is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Irving has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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