Hayward CA vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Knoxville
15.7%
Knoxville +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 193,721 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 7.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 9.0% | 15.7% | Knoxville + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 7.5% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Knoxville
$50,994
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Knoxville
$33,171
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Knoxville
20.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $50,994 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $33,171 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,097 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 20.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Knoxville
$371,202
Knoxville +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Knoxville
46.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $371,202 | Knoxville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 46.6% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Knoxville
2350
Knoxville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 639 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2350 | Knoxville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Knoxville
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Knoxville
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Knoxville
15.8%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 36.0% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.6% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 22.0% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.9% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.8% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 17.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Knoxville
57.8°F
Knoxville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 57.8°F | Knoxville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 51.9 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 22.0 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while knoxville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $371,202. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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