Hayward CA vs Richmond CA — 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%
Richmond, CA
California · Population: 115,396
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$608,357
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Richmond
115,396
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Richmond
37.6
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Richmond
34.5%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Richmond
21.4%
Richmond +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Richmond
17.3%
Richmond +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Richmond
13.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Richmond
46.9%
Richmond +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 115,396 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.6 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 34.5% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 21.4% | Richmond + |
| Black | 9.0% | 17.3% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 13.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 46.9% | Richmond + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Richmond
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Richmond
$41,898
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Richmond
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Richmond
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Richmond
13.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Richmond
32.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $90,038 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $41,898 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 13.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 32.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Richmond
$608,357
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Richmond
52.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $608,357 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 52.5% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Richmond
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Richmond
2388
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Richmond
32.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Richmond
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Richmond
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Richmond
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Richmond
14.9%
Richmond +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Richmond
11.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 32.9% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.9% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.9% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.9% | Richmond + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Richmond
58.5°F
Richmond +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Richmond
24.9 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 58.5°F | Richmond + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 24.9 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Richmond
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Hayward +
Richmond
37.7 min
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 37.7 min | Hayward + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while richmond offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $608,357. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Richmond 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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