Hayward CA vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 112,612 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 10.1% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 9.0% | 2.6% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.9% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Las Cruces
$55,176
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $55,176 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $30,804 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $53,141 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.4% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 22.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Las Cruces
$290,963
Las Cruces +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
55.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $290,963 | Las Cruces + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 55.6% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 834 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3177 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
35.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Las Cruces
12.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 35.4% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.7% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.1% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Las Cruces +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 58.8°F | Las Cruces + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while las Cruces offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $290,963. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 834 in Las Cruces. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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