Hayward CA vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Manchester
37.9
Manchester +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Manchester
14.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Manchester
13.5%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 115,415 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.9 | Manchester + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 14.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.3% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 13.5% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Manchester
$77,415
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Manchester
$44,220
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Manchester
10.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $77,415 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $44,220 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $75,331 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 10.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Manchester
$441,257
Manchester +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Manchester
49.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $441,257 | Manchester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 49.3% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Manchester
35.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Manchester
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Manchester
12.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 35.0% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.9% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Manchester
49.2°F
Manchester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 49.2°F | Manchester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 44.6 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 25.7 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while manchester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $441,257. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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