Hayward CA vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Lowell
29.5%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Lowell
50.9%
Lowell +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Lowell
10.8%
Lowell +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Lowell
21.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Lowell
19.3%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 114,799 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 29.5% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 50.9% | Lowell + |
| Black | 9.0% | 10.8% | Lowell + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 21.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 19.3% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Lowell
5.4%
Lowell +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $76,205 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $36,138 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | Lowell + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 16.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.9% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 44.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Lowell
27.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Lowell
10.9%
Lowell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 27.2% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.9% | Lowell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.5% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.1% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Lowell
47.0 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 47.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Lowell
30.1 min
Lowell +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 30.1 min | Lowell + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Lowell has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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