Hayward CA vs Minneapolis MN — 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%

Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota · Population: 426,845

  • Median HH Income$80,269
  • Median Home Price$334,719
  • Unemployment5.7%
  • Bachelor's+54.4%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hayward
159,201
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
14.1%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
48.0%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Minneapolis
9.9%
Minneapolis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Minneapolis
12.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Minneapolis
30.6 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +

Which City is Right for You?

Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Hayward & Minneapolis