Hayward CA vs West Covina CA — 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%
West Covina, CA
California · Population: 107,436
- Median HH Income$98,570
- Median Home Price$851,613
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+29.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
West Covina
107,436
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
West Covina
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Hayward +
West Covina
40.1
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
West Covina
36.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
West Covina
20.0%
West Covina +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
West Covina
4.1%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
West Covina
30.6%
West Covina +
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
West Covina
53.2%
West Covina +
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 107,436 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 40.1 | Hayward + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 36.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 20.0% | West Covina + |
| Black | 9.0% | 4.1% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 30.6% | West Covina + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 53.2% | West Covina + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
West Covina
$98,570
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
West Covina
$38,100
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
West Covina
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Hayward +
West Covina
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
West Covina
9.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
West Covina
29.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $98,570 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $38,100 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.2% | Hayward + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 9.7% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 29.8% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Hayward +
West Covina
$851,613
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
West Covina
60.8%
West Covina +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $851,613 | Hayward + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 60.8% | West Covina + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
West Covina
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
West Covina
2388
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
West Covina
23.5%
West Covina +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
West Covina
12.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
West Covina
14.7%
West Covina +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
West Covina
11.4%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
West Covina
13.7%
West Covina +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
West Covina
9.6%
West Covina +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 23.5% | West Covina + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 14.7% | West Covina + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.4% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 13.7% | West Covina + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.6% | West Covina + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
West Covina
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
West Covina
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
West Covina
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
West Covina
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
West Covina
36.1 min
West Covina +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | West Covina, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 36.1 min | West Covina + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while hayward offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $847,838. On public safety, West Covina is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Hayward has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and West Covina has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Covina scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.5%.
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