Hayward CA vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Westland
38.2
Tie
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Westland
9.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Westland
22.6%
Westland +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Westland
3.8%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 84,155 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 38.2 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 9.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 9.0% | 22.6% | Westland + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 3.8% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 5.0% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Hayward +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Westland
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Westland
5.3%
Westland +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Westland
13.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Hayward +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $62,216 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $33,816 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $58,052 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.3% | Westland + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 13.3% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 21.7% | Hayward + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Westland
471
Westland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 471 | Westland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Westland
34.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Westland
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 34.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 12.3% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 20.0% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 16.6% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Westland
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | 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
Hayward +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Hayward +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Hayward + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Westland
27.0 min
Westland +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 27.0 min | Westland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, Westland is safer with a violent crime rate of 471 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Westland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, 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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