Hayward CA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 8.0% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 9.0% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 8.6% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $55,931 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $35,704 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 23.2% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 39.5% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
34.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Tallahassee
12.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 34.1% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.3% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.2% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.2% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 67.6°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 58.1 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
Compare More Cities
Hayward, CA vs New York, NYHayward, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hayward, CAHayward, CA vs Houston, TXHayward, CA vs Phoenix, AZHayward, CA vs Philadelphia, PA