Hayward CA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Mesa
4.4%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Mesa
26.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 11.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.4% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.5% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 26.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $78,779 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $39,586 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 10.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 31.5% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Mesa
15.5%
Mesa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 30.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Mesa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.1% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Mesa
11.7 in
Mesa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 71.8°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 11.7 in | Mesa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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