Hayward CA vs Long Beach CA — 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%
Long Beach, CA
California · Population: 458,491
- Median HH Income$83,969
- Median Home Price$862,599
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+34.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Long Beach
458,491
Long Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Long Beach
36.8
Long Beach +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Long Beach
24.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Long Beach
41.6%
Long Beach +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Long Beach
11.9%
Long Beach +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Long Beach
12.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Long Beach
43.4%
Long Beach +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Long Beach
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 458,491 | Long Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.8 | Long Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 24.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 41.6% | Long Beach + |
| Black | 9.0% | 11.9% | Long Beach + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 43.4% | Long Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Long Beach
$83,969
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Long Beach
$42,370
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Long Beach
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Long Beach
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Long Beach
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Long Beach
34.8%
Long Beach +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $83,969 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $42,370 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 15.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 34.8% | Long Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Hayward +
Long Beach
$862,599
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Long Beach
40.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $862,599 | Hayward + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 40.9% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Long Beach
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Long Beach
2388
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Long Beach
27.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Long Beach
11.7%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Long Beach
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Long Beach
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Long Beach
15.7%
Long Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Long Beach
11.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 27.4% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.7% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.5% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.9% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.7% | Long Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Long Beach
64.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Long Beach
12.3 in
Long Beach +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 64.7°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 12.3 in | Long Beach + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Long Beach
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Long Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Long Beach
32.6 min
Long Beach +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Long Beach, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 32.6 min | Long Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while hayward offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $847,838. On public safety, Long Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Long Beach 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%.
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