Hayward CA vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 107,699 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 9.0% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.6% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 5.2% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $48,536 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $31,324 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $51,690 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.0% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 23.8% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 45.1% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 42.6% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.0% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 21.3% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.5% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.7% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 65.0°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 55.0 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, 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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