Hayward CA vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 81,679 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 9.0% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Lake Charles
5.5%
Lake Charles +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $56,864 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $35,847 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Lake Charles + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 23.2% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.4% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Lake Charles
9.6%
Lake Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Lake Charles
15.6%
Lake Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 45.6% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.2% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.7% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Lake Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 18.0% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 62.4 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | 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
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. Lake Charles 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%.
Compare More Cities
Hayward, CA vs New York, NYHayward, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hayward, CAHayward, CA vs Houston, TXHayward, CA vs Phoenix, AZHayward, CA vs Philadelphia, PA