Hayward CA vs New Braunfels TX — 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 Braunfels, TX

Texas · Population: 267

  • Median HH Income$74,643
  • Median Home Price$352,129
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+1.8%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
8.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
15.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
New Braunfels
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
1.8%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
New Braunfels
442
New Braunfels +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
New Braunfels
2339
New Braunfels +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
New Braunfels
10.6%
New Braunfels +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
New Braunfels
16.0%
New Braunfels +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
11.0%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
New Braunfels
34.0 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
New Braunfels
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +

Which City is Right for You?

Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, New Braunfels is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. 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 & New Braunfels