Hayward CA vs Winston-Salem NC — 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Hayward
159,201
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
118,578
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Hayward
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Hayward
38.2
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Hayward
42.0%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
Hayward
19.6%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Hayward
9.0%
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Winston-Salem +
Asian
Hayward
29.6%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Hayward
40.9%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Hayward
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 159,201 | 118,578 | Hayward + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 42.0% | 5.7% | Hayward + |
| White | 19.6% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 9.0% | 14.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Asian | 29.6% | 1.3% | Hayward + |
| Hispanic | 40.9% | 8.9% | Hayward + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Hayward
$113,775
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Hayward
$44,613
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Hayward
$77,230
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Hayward
5.9%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Hayward
9.5%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Hayward
32.6%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,775 | $63,900 | Hayward + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,613 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Hayward + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.5% | 16.3% | Hayward + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Hayward
$847,838
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
Hayward
57.0%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $847,838 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 46.8% | Hayward + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
503
Winston-Salem
398
Winston-Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Hayward
2388
Winston-Salem
1999
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Winston-Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Winston-Salem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
24.9%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.7%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Hayward
16.8%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Hayward
11.4%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Hayward
15.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Hayward
10.8%
Hayward +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.9% | 42.7% | Hayward + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.1% | Hayward + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.4% | Hayward + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 12.8% | Hayward + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 14.4% | Hayward + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
58.9°F
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Hayward
18.0 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Hayward
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Hayward + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Hayward
36.7 min
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.7 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Hayward leads in median household income at $113,775, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Hayward. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Hayward, CA vs New York, NYHayward, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Hayward, CAHayward, CA vs Houston, TXHayward, CA vs Phoenix, AZHayward, CA vs Philadelphia, PA