Hayward CA vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Topeka
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Topeka
9.7%
Topeka +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Topeka
16.9%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 126,103 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 5.3% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 9.0% | 9.7% | Topeka + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 16.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $55,902 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $33,290 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $61,860 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 15.6% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.1% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Topeka
449
Topeka +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Topeka
2174
Topeka +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 449 | Topeka + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2174 | Topeka + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Topeka
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Topeka
16.8%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Topeka
11.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 39.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.8% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.9% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Topeka
54.5°F
Topeka +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 54.5°F | Topeka + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 39.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Topeka is safer with a violent crime rate of 449 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, 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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