Hayward CA vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
New Bedford
37.0
New Bedford +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
New Bedford
20.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
New Bedford
24.5%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 100,731 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.0 | New Bedford + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 20.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 9.0% | 6.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.5% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 24.5% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $56,025 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $30,475 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.6% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 19.9% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 40.0% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
New Bedford
11.1%
New Bedford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
New Bedford
16.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 36.3% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 22.0% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | New Bedford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.0% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 21.4% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 51.9 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
New Bedford
27.2 min
New Bedford +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 27.2 min | New Bedford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
Compare More Cities
Hayward, CA vs New York, NYHayward, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hayward, CAHayward, CA vs Houston, TXHayward, CA vs Phoenix, AZHayward, CA vs Philadelphia, PA