Hayward CA vs Norman OK — 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%

Norman, OK

Oklahoma · Population: 128,714

  • Median HH Income$65,060
  • Median Home Price$264,711
  • Unemployment5.7%
  • Bachelor's+46.2%

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Norman
128,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Norman
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Norman
31.6
Norman +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Norman
7.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Norman
73.0%
Norman +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Norman
5.1%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Norman
4.2%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Norman
9.0%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Norman
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Norman
$65,060
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Norman
$37,897
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Norman
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Norman
5.7%
Norman +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Norman
17.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Norman
46.2%
Norman +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Norman
$264,711
Norman +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Norman
52.7%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Norman
429
Norman +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Norman
2375
Norman +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Norman
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Norman
9.8%
Norman +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Norman
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Norman
9.2%
Norman +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Norman
14.0%
Norman +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Norman
12.8%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Norman
60.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Norman
38.9 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Norman
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Norman
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Norman
24.2 min
Norman +

Which City is Right for You?

Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while norman offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,711. On public safety, Norman is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Norman has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Hayward & Norman