Hayward CA vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
San Diego
24.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
San Diego
17.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 24.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.7% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 17.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 29.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
San Diego
$104,321
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
San Diego
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
San Diego
5.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
San Diego
11.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $104,321 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 11.1% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Hayward +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $1,006,261 | Hayward + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 47.6% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
San Diego
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
San Diego
2388
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.9% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 61.6°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, 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
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while hayward offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $847,838. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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