Hayward CA vs Tucson AZ — 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Tucson
13.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 13.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 9.0% | 5.0% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.1% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $54,546 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $31,152 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.4% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 18.8% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 30.2% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 51.7% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Tucson
450
Tucson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Tucson
2150
Tucson +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Tucson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Tucson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 33.5% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 18.3% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.7% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 12.5% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 69.8°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Tucson is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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