Hayward CA vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Raleigh
13.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Raleigh
4.7%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 13.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 9.0% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 12.7% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Raleigh
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Raleigh
4.5%
Raleigh +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Raleigh
11.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $82,424 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Raleigh + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 51.2% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Raleigh
398
Raleigh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Raleigh
1999
Raleigh +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Raleigh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Raleigh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 30.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 61.1°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 46.2 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Raleigh has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, 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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