Hayward CA vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Omaha
35.3
Omaha +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Omaha
10.9%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Omaha
11.8%
Omaha +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Omaha
15.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.3 | Omaha + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 10.9% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 9.0% | 11.8% | Omaha + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 15.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Omaha
$72,708
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Omaha
$42,515
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Omaha
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $72,708 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $42,515 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $66,354 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Omaha
$297,017
Omaha +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $297,017 | Omaha + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Omaha
1960
Omaha +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1960 | Omaha + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Omaha
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Omaha
14.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 37.5% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.0% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.0% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.2% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Omaha
51.1°F
Omaha +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Omaha
30.6 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 51.1°F | Omaha + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 30.6 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while omaha offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,017. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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