Hayward CA vs Lynn 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Lynn
36.8
Lynn +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Lynn
35.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Lynn
44.6%
Lynn +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Lynn
12.1%
Lynn +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 100,905 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.8 | Lynn + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 35.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 44.6% | Lynn + |
| Black | 9.0% | 12.1% | Lynn + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 6.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Lynn
$74,715
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Lynn
$35,083
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Lynn
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $74,715 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $35,083 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 13.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 23.3% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Lynn
$584,482
Lynn +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Lynn
50.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $584,482 | Lynn + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 50.4% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Lynn
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Lynn
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Lynn
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Lynn
14.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 33.8% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.8% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.6% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Lynn
33.8 min
Lynn +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 33.8 min | Lynn + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while lynn offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $584,482. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn 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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