Hayward CA vs Norwalk CA — 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Norwalk
32.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Norwalk
24.0%
Norwalk +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Norwalk
13.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 100,713 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.5 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 24.0% | Norwalk + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.2% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 13.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Norwalk
$98,709
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Norwalk
$31,989
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Norwalk
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Norwalk
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $98,709 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $31,989 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 9.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 21.3% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Norwalk
$765,319
Norwalk +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $765,319 | Norwalk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Norwalk
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Norwalk
2388
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Norwalk
26.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Norwalk
12.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 26.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.7% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | 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
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Norwalk
32.1 min
Norwalk +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 32.1 min | Norwalk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while norwalk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $765,319. On public safety, Norwalk is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk 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
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