Hayward CA vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
14.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Philadelphia
36.1%
Philadelphia +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
15.2%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 14.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 36.1% | Philadelphia + |
| Black | 9.0% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 7.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 15.2% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $60,698 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $37,669 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,080 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.4% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 22.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 52.3% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 48.5 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 34.5 min | Philadelphia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³).
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