Hayward CA vs North Charleston SC — 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%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 117,460 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 12.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 9.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.5% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $62,789 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $35,740 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 15.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 28.0% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 48.5% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 35.2% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.5% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.3% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.3% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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