Hayward CA vs Lansing MI — 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%
Lansing, MI
Michigan · Population: 112,546
- Median HH Income$52,170
- Median Home Price$166,132
- Unemployment8.1%
- Bachelor's+29.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Lansing
112,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Lansing
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Lansing
33.5
Lansing +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Lansing
10.1%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Lansing
56.1%
Lansing +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Lansing
23.4%
Lansing +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Lansing
5.3%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Lansing
12.9%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Lansing
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 112,546 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.5 | Lansing + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 10.1% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 56.1% | Lansing + |
| Black | 9.0% | 23.4% | Lansing + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 5.3% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 12.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Lansing
$52,170
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Lansing
$29,894
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Lansing
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Lansing
8.1%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Lansing
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Lansing
29.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $52,170 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $29,894 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.1% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 19.9% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Lansing
$166,132
Lansing +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Lansing
53.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $166,132 | Lansing + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 53.9% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Lansing
471
Lansing +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Lansing
1590
Lansing +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Lansing + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Lansing + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Lansing
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Lansing
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Lansing
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Lansing
9.3%
Lansing +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Lansing
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Lansing
16.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 39.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.4% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.6% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Lansing + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Lansing
48.8°F
Lansing +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Lansing
32.2 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 48.8°F | Lansing + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 32.2 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Lansing
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Lansing
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Lansing
21.2 min
Lansing +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lansing, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 21.2 min | Lansing + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while lansing offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $166,132. On public safety, Lansing is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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