Hayward CA vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Provo
12.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Provo
18.9%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 114,303 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 12.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.1% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.2% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 18.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Provo
4.7%
Provo +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $62,800 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $26,755 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.7% | Provo + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 22.3% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 39.9% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 30.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 21.5% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.6% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 19.8 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Provo has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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