Hayward CA vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 19.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 9.0% | 7.8% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.9% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $77,041 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $40,309 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 14.3% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 32.3% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 32.3% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.3% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.3% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.2% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 72.1°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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