Hayward CA vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Reno
37.3
Reno +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Reno
16.1%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Reno
7.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Reno
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Reno + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 16.1% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 9.0% | 3.2% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 7.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 24.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Reno
$78,448
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Reno
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Reno
5.0%
Reno +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Reno
12.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $78,448 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.0% | Reno + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Reno
$570,934
Reno +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Reno
49.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $570,934 | Reno + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 49.4% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Reno
460
Reno +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Reno
2417
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Reno + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Reno
28.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Reno
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Reno
18.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Reno
12.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 28.4% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.5% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.0% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.9% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Reno
53.0°F
Reno +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Reno
8.3 in
Reno +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 53.0°F | Reno + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 8.3 in | Reno + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while reno offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $570,934. On public safety, Reno is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Reno has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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