Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Bakersfield, CA
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Bakersfield
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$73,827
Violent Crime Index
146⚠ High
Population
404,321 ✓ Larger
Hayward
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Bakersfield, CA
Pros
Homes cost $455k less ($320,600 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $977/mo less ($1,283 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
16% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $31,544/yr
Violent crime (554.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2469.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.1% vs 5.7%)
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $31,544 more per year on average
14% less violent crime than Bakersfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 97°F
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Bakersfield
Cost of Living
16% cheaper
COL index 102.2 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Bakersfield
Median Home Value
$455k less
$320,600 vs $775,700
Bakersfield
Summer Heat
22.7°F warmer
July avg high 97.4°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$31,544
$105,371 vs $73,827/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
14% lower
477.1 vs 554.6 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.2⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $320,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,283 ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,827 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.6 min ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.0% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 146⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 118⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (73) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.3% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.6% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Bakersfield City | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.1°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.4°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 16.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 404,321 ✓ Larger | 160,602 |
| Median Age | 31.5 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% ✓ Higher | 56.5% |
| Under 18 | 29.8% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 10.5% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bakersfield's cost of living index is 102.2 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Bakersfield is 16% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Bakersfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Bakersfield wins 12 and Hayward wins 11. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Bakersfield to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($320,600 vs $775,700 median home), income ($73,827 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Bakersfield, CA and Hayward, CA are about 232 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.