Hayward CA vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Sugar Land
35.3%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 109,735 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 42.5 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 35.3% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 9.0% | 7.7% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Sugar Land
$449,058
Sugar Land +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $449,058 | Sugar Land + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Sugar Land
442
Sugar Land +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Sugar Land
2339
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Sugar Land + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Sugar Land + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Sugar Land
12.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.2% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 71.3°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 50.4 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Sugar Land
31.6 min
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 31.6 min | Sugar Land + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while sugar Land offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $449,058. On public safety, Sugar Land is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Hayward has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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