Hayward CA vs New York NY — 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
New York
38.0
New York +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
New York
36.5%
White
Hayward
19.6%
New York
35.9%
New York +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
New York
14.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.0 | New York + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 36.5% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 35.9% | New York + |
| Black | 9.0% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 14.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 28.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
New York
$50,776
New York +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
New York
41.0%
New York +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $79,713 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $50,776 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.7% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 17.4% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 41.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
New York
$816,078
New York +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $816,078 | New York + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 32.8% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
New York
25.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
New York
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 25.1% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.9% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.9% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 46.6 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
New York
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Hayward +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Hayward, CA | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 44.2 min | Hayward + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while new York offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $816,078. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 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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