Hayward CA vs Joliet IL — 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%
Joliet, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,785
- Median HH Income$88,026
- Median Home Price$264,637
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Joliet
149,785
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Joliet
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Joliet
35.3
Joliet +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Joliet
15.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Joliet
52.7%
Joliet +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Joliet
17.0%
Joliet +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Joliet
2.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Joliet
34.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Joliet
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 149,785 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.3 | Joliet + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 15.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 52.7% | Joliet + |
| Black | 9.0% | 17.0% | Joliet + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 34.7% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Joliet
$88,026
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Joliet
$35,820
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Joliet
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Joliet
5.8%
Joliet +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Joliet
11.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Joliet
25.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $88,026 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $35,820 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.8% | Joliet + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 11.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 25.0% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Joliet
$264,637
Joliet +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Joliet
73.1%
Joliet +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $264,637 | Joliet + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 73.1% | Joliet + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Joliet
344
Joliet +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Joliet
1842
Joliet +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Joliet + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Joliet + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Joliet
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Joliet
11.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Joliet
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Joliet
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Joliet
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Joliet
14.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 41.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.7% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.1% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.0% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Joliet
50.6°F
Joliet +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Joliet
36.8 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 50.6°F | Joliet + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 36.8 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Joliet
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Joliet
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Joliet
31.7 min
Joliet +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Joliet, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 31.7 min | Joliet + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while joliet offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,637. On public safety, Joliet is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Joliet has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, 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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