Hayward CA vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Sparks
N/A
White
Hayward
19.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | N/A | - |
| White | 19.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 9.0% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 29.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $62,696 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Sparks
$530,668
Sparks +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $530,668 | Sparks + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Sparks
460
Sparks +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 460 | Sparks + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2417 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Sparks
28.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 28.6% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.1% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.8% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Sparks offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $530,668. On public safety, Sparks is safer with a violent crime rate of 460 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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