Hayward CA vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Tacoma
37.3
Tacoma +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Tacoma
12.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Tacoma
10.5%
Tacoma +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Tacoma
8.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Tacoma
13.1%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.3 | Tacoma + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 12.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 9.0% | 10.5% | Tacoma + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 8.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 13.1% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $83,857 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 12.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Tacoma
56.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 56.5% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3409 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 37.3% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.7% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.8% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 39.2 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Tacoma
31.1 min
Tacoma +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 31.1 min | Tacoma + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma 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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