Hayward CA vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Waco
9.8%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 141,925 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 9.8% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 9.0% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 2.0% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 29.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $51,468 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $28,819 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $63,758 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 24.0% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 28.6% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 48.9% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Waco
442
Waco +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Waco
2339
Waco +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 442 | Waco + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2339 | Waco + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 36.8% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.0% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.4% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 20.4% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 16.2% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 15.1% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Hayward +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Hayward +
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | 66.6°F | Hayward + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | 36.4 in | Hayward + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
Hayward +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Waco is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, 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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