Hayward CA vs Spokane Valley WA — 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%
Spokane Valley, WA
Washington · Population: 105,460
- Median HH Income$70,722
- Median Home Price$414,734
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+24.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
105,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Spokane Valley
37.6
Spokane Valley +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
5.1%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Spokane Valley
85.1%
Spokane Valley +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
1.4%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
1.7%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 105,460 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.6 | Spokane Valley + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 5.1% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 85.1% | Spokane Valley + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.4% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.7% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 7.5% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
$70,722
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
$35,235
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Spokane Valley
5.9%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
12.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
24.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $70,722 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $35,235 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.9% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.9% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 24.8% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Spokane Valley
$414,734
Spokane Valley +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Spokane Valley
57.5%
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $414,734 | Spokane Valley + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 57.5% | Spokane Valley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Spokane Valley
383
Spokane Valley +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
3409
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Spokane Valley + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Spokane Valley
10.5%
Spokane Valley +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Spokane Valley
7.7%
Spokane Valley +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
17.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Spokane Valley
12.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 35.1% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.5% | Spokane Valley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.1% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.7% | Spokane Valley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 17.2% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.4% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Spokane Valley
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Spokane Valley
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | 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
Spokane Valley
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane Valley +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Spokane Valley
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane Valley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Spokane Valley
22.4 min
Spokane Valley +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Spokane Valley, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 22.4 min | Spokane Valley + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while spokane Valley offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $414,734. On public safety, Spokane Valley is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Spokane Valley has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Spokane Valley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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