Hayward CA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Westminster
37.5
Westminster +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Hayward +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 115,546 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.5 | Westminster + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 8.2% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 9.0% | 1.2% | Hayward + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 4.7% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 23.7% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $96,145 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Hayward +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Hayward +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | Hayward + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | Hayward + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Hayward +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 27.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 18.7% | Hayward + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.1% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Westminster
28.6 min
Westminster +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 28.6 min | Westminster + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Hayward is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Hayward scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.9%.
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