Hayward CA vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 9.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.2% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.5% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 8.8% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $69,991 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $39,187 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.6% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Lincoln
55.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 55.8% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Lincoln
9.6%
Lincoln +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 35.1% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Lincoln + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.6% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.5% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Lincoln
29.0 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 29.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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