Hayward CA vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Peoria
12.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Peoria
37.0%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 11,626 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 12.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 37.0% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Peoria
$83,102
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Peoria
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Peoria
4.8%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $83,102 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $33,805 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.8% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 27.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Peoria
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 36.2% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.5% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.1% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Peoria
38.0 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 38.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Peoria
34.4 min
Peoria +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 34.4 min | Peoria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, 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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