Hayward CA vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Sandy Springs
37.1
Sandy Springs +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 107,198 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.1 | Sandy Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 9.0% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 7.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 11.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $101,593 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,405 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Sandy Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $694,123 | Sandy Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 50.7% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while sandy Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $694,123. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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