Hayward CA vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Stamford
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Stamford
31.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Stamford
19.9%
Stamford +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Stamford
28.1%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 135,806 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 31.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 9.0% | 19.9% | Stamford + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 7.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 28.1% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Stamford
$107,474
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Stamford
9.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $107,474 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 9.5% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Stamford
$708,498
Stamford +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $708,498 | Stamford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 47.5% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Stamford
25.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 25.5% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Stamford
52.3°F
Stamford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 52.3°F | Stamford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 53.2 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Stamford
30.1 min
Stamford +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 30.1 min | Stamford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while stamford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $708,498. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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