Hayward CA vs West Valley City UT — 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 Valley City, UT

Utah · Population: N/A

  • Median HH IncomeN/A
  • Median Home Price$473,364
  • UnemploymentN/A
  • Bachelor's+N/A

Detailed Comparison

Demographics

Population
Hayward
159,201
West Valley City
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
West Valley City
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
West Valley City
N/A
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
West Valley City
N/A
White
Hayward
19.6%
West Valley City
N/A
Black
Hayward
9.0%
West Valley City
N/A
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
West Valley City
N/A
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
West Valley City
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
West Valley City
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
West Valley City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
West Valley City
N/A
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
West Valley City
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
West Valley City
N/A

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
West Valley City
$473,364
West Valley City +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
West Valley City
N/A

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
West Valley City
245
West Valley City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
West Valley City
1931
West Valley City +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
West Valley City
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
West Valley City
10.6%
West Valley City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
West Valley City
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
West Valley City
19.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
West Valley City
14.4%
West Valley City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
West Valley City
10.8%
Tie

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
West Valley City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
West Valley City
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Hayward
7.9 µg/m³
West Valley City
7.0 µg/m³
West Valley City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
West Valley City
75.0%
Tie

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
West Valley City
N/A

Which City is Right for You?

West Valley City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $473,364. On public safety, West Valley City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. West Valley City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Hayward & West Valley City