Hayward CA vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
133,473
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
27.4%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 133,473 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 41.5 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 27.4% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 9.0% | 6.6% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 9.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 2.4% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
31.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $78,429 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $37,315 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 10.6% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 31.2% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Sterling Heights
471
Sterling Heights +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Sterling Heights + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 36.0% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.2% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.4% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.3% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 27.5 min | Sterling Heights + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, Sterling Heights is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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