Hayward CA vs Richmond VA — 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, VA
Virginia · Population: 227,595
- Median HH Income$62,671
- Median Home Price$374,265
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Richmond
227,595
Richmond +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Richmond
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Richmond
34.5
Richmond +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Richmond
8.6%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Richmond
43.2%
Richmond +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Richmond
42.0%
Richmond +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Richmond
2.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Richmond
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Richmond
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 227,595 | Richmond + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.5 | Richmond + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 8.6% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 43.2% | Richmond + |
| Black | 9.0% | 42.0% | Richmond + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 10.3% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Richmond
$62,671
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Richmond
$44,249
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Richmond
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Richmond
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Richmond
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Richmond
44.1%
Richmond +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $62,671 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $44,249 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $69,581 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.0% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 18.8% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 44.1% | Richmond + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Richmond
$374,265
Richmond +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Richmond
43.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $374,265 | Richmond + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 43.5% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Richmond
240
Richmond +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Richmond
1726
Richmond +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 240 | Richmond + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1726 | Richmond + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Richmond
36.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Richmond
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Richmond
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Richmond
10.7%
Richmond +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Richmond
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Richmond
13.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 36.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.8% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.7% | Richmond + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 13.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Richmond
58.9°F
Tie
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Richmond
43.6 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 58.9°F | Tie |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 43.6 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Richmond
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Richmond
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Richmond
23.6 min
Richmond +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Richmond, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 23.6 min | Richmond + |
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 $374,265. On public safety, Richmond is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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