Hayward CA vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Lakewood
38.0
Lakewood +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Lakewood
22.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 156,309 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | Lakewood + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 8.5% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.4% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 22.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $85,789 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Lakewood
10.6%
Lakewood +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | Lakewood + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Lakewood
28.6 min
Lakewood +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 28.6 min | Lakewood + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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