Hayward CA vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 9.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 9.0% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 8.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $64,731 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $38,890 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $52,606 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 16.1% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 43.3 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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