Hayward CA vs Schenectady NY — 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Schenectady
6.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Schenectady
3.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 28,542 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.3 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 6.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 9.0% | 3.1% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Schenectady
$100,485
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Schenectady
10.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $100,485 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 10.3% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Schenectady
434
Schenectady +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Schenectady + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Schenectady
9.7%
Schenectady +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 38.6% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 19.2% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.7% | Schenectady + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | 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 +
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Schenectady
26.2 min
Schenectady +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 26.2 min | Schenectady + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Schenectady is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, 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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