Hayward CA vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Plymouth
13.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Plymouth
10.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 79,526 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.7 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 13.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 10.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,467 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Plymouth
$514,358
Plymouth +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $514,358 | Plymouth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Plymouth
1992
Plymouth +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1992 | Plymouth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.5% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | 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
Hayward +
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Plymouth
24.5 min
Plymouth +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 24.5 min | Plymouth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while plymouth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $514,358. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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