Hayward CA vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Montgomery
198,440
Montgomery +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Montgomery
36.2
Montgomery +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Montgomery
27.7%
Montgomery +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 198,440 | Montgomery + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.2 | Montgomery + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 5.5% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 27.7% | Montgomery + |
| Black | 9.0% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.3% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 4.8% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Montgomery
$55,687
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Montgomery
$32,068
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Montgomery
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Montgomery
20.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $55,687 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $32,068 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 20.9% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Montgomery
54.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 54.3% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Montgomery
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Montgomery
11.0%
Montgomery +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Montgomery
15.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 46.4% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 16.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.6% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.0% | Montgomery + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.3% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 64.5°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 52.8 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Montgomery
22.0 min
Montgomery +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 22.0 min | Montgomery + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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%.
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