Hayward CA vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Portland
12.4%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.6 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 12.4% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.8% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 8.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 11.3% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $88,792 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,691 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 52.8% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3001 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Portland
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 28.5% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.7% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 78.3 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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