Hayward CA vs Naperville IL — 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%
Naperville, IL
Illinois · Population: 149,424
- Median HH Income$150,937
- Median Home Price$618,452
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+71.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Naperville
149,424
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Naperville
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Naperville
40.1
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Naperville
22.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Naperville
64.5%
Naperville +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Naperville
4.4%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Naperville
21.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Naperville
7.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 149,424 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.1 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 22.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 64.5% | Naperville + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.4% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 21.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 7.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Naperville
$150,937
Naperville +
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Naperville
$71,011
Naperville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Naperville
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Naperville
4.2%
Naperville +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Naperville
4.4%
Naperville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Naperville
71.7%
Naperville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $150,937 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $71,011 | Naperville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Naperville + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 4.4% | Naperville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 71.7% | Naperville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Naperville
$618,452
Naperville +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Naperville
74.3%
Naperville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $618,452 | Naperville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 74.3% | Naperville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Naperville
344
Naperville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Naperville
1842
Naperville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Naperville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Naperville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Naperville
27.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Naperville
8.7%
Naperville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Naperville
12.3%
Naperville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Naperville
4.6%
Naperville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Naperville
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Naperville
7.4%
Naperville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 27.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.7% | Naperville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.3% | Naperville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 4.6% | Naperville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.4% | Naperville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Naperville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Naperville
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | 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
Hayward +
Naperville
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Naperville
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Naperville
33.8 min
Naperville +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Naperville, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 33.8 min | Naperville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Naperville leads in median household income at $150,937, while naperville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $618,452. On public safety, Naperville is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Naperville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, 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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