Hayward CA vs Nashua NH — 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%
Nashua, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 91,131
- Median HH Income$92,457
- Median Home Price$507,692
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Nashua
91,131
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Nashua
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Nashua
39.7
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Nashua
16.4%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Nashua
75.1%
Nashua +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Nashua
2.6%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Nashua
7.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Nashua
14.0%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Nashua
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 91,131 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.7 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 16.4% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 75.1% | Nashua + |
| Black | 9.0% | 2.6% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 7.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 14.0% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Nashua
$92,457
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Nashua
$50,026
Nashua +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Nashua
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Nashua
4.8%
Nashua +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Nashua
7.1%
Nashua +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Nashua
40.5%
Nashua +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $92,457 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $50,026 | Nashua + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $75,331 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | Nashua + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 7.1% | Nashua + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 40.5% | Nashua + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Nashua
$507,692
Nashua +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Nashua
56.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $507,692 | Nashua + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 56.4% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Nashua
134
Nashua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Nashua
1048
Nashua +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 134 | Nashua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1048 | Nashua + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Nashua
33.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Nashua
9.4%
Nashua +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Nashua
15.5%
Nashua +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Nashua
8.8%
Nashua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Nashua
15.7%
Nashua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Nashua
10.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 33.2% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.4% | Nashua + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.5% | Nashua + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.8% | Nashua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.7% | Nashua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Nashua
47.7°F
Nashua +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Nashua
48.0 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 47.7°F | Nashua + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 48.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Nashua
5.9 µg/m³
Nashua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Nashua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Nashua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Nashua
27.6 min
Nashua +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Nashua, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 27.6 min | Nashua + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while nashua offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $507,692. On public safety, Nashua is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Nashua has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Nashua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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