Hayward CA vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
23.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
9.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
16.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 91,535 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.9 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 23.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.9% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 9.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 16.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Santa Ana
$109,739
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Santa Ana
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
11.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $109,739 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.1% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 11.6% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Hayward +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $865,610 | Hayward + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 28.8% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Santa Ana
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Santa Ana
2388
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, 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 +
Santa Ana
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Santa Ana
11.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 29.0% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.7% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 20.7% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.6% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 65.6°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, 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
Santa Ana
28.0 min
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 28.0 min | Santa Ana + |
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, Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana 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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