Hayward CA vs Rapid City SD — 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%
Rapid City, SD
South Dakota · Population: 76,836
- Median HH Income$65,712
- Median Home Price$363,258
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Rapid City
76,836
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Rapid City
39.0
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Rapid City
2.3%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Rapid City
78.3%
Rapid City +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Rapid City
1.6%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Rapid City
1.3%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Rapid City
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Rapid City
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 76,836 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 39.0 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 2.3% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 78.3% | Rapid City + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.6% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.3% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 5.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Rapid City
$65,712
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Rapid City
$40,447
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Rapid City
$69,795
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Rapid City
3.2%
Rapid City +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Rapid City
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Rapid City
36.4%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $65,712 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $40,447 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,795 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.2% | Rapid City + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 13.3% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 36.4% | Rapid City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Rapid City
$363,258
Rapid City +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Rapid City
61.6%
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $363,258 | Rapid City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 61.6% | Rapid City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Rapid City
405
Rapid City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Rapid City
1873
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 405 | Rapid City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1873 | Rapid City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Rapid City
34.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Rapid City
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Rapid City
16.0%
Rapid City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Rapid City
9.6%
Rapid City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Rapid City
20.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Rapid City
15.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 34.0% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.8% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.0% | Rapid City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.6% | Rapid City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 20.5% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Rapid City
46.3°F
Rapid City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Rapid City
18.4 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 46.3°F | Rapid City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 18.4 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Rapid City
7.3 µg/m³
Rapid City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Rapid City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.3 µg/m³ | Rapid City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Rapid City
18.8 min
Rapid City +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Rapid City, SD | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 18.8 min | Rapid City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while rapid City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $363,258. On public safety, Rapid City is safer with a violent crime rate of 405 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Rapid City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rapid City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
Compare More Cities
Hayward, CA vs New York, NYHayward, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hayward, CAHayward, CA vs Houston, TXHayward, CA vs Phoenix, AZHayward, CA vs Philadelphia, PA