Hayward CA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 124,865 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 4.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.6% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $98,686 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 28.8% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.6% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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