Hayward CA vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Kansas City
18.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Kansas City
44.0%
Kansas City +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Kansas City
20.4%
Kansas City +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Kansas City
35.0%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 154,776 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 18.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 44.0% | Kansas City + |
| Black | 9.0% | 20.4% | Kansas City + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 5.3% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 35.0% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Kansas City
$59,183
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Kansas City
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $59,183 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $28,059 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 17.9% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 20.2% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Kansas City
449
Kansas City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Kansas City
2174
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Kansas City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Kansas City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Kansas City
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 41.2% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 14.6% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 18.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 18.3% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Kansas City
38.1 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 38.1 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Kansas City
23.7 min
Kansas City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 23.7 min | Kansas City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Kansas City is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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