Hayward CA vs Sandy UT — 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, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Sandy
36.9
Sandy +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Sandy
10.3%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Sandy
3.5%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 94,723 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 36.9 | Sandy + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 10.3% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 9.0% | 0.8% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.5% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 11.3% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Sandy
$111,242
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Sandy
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $111,242 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $60,713 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Sandy
$672,082
Sandy +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $672,082 | Sandy + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Sandy
28.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 28.5% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while sandy offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $672,082. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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