Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carson, CA
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Carson leads 13 of 21 categories
Carson
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$103,045
Violent Crime Index
111⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
94,475
Hayward
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carson, CA
Pros
12% less violent crime than Hayward
Homes cost $160k less ($616,000 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $445/mo less ($1,815 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 59°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2930.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.7%)
Hayward, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.7%)
Smaller class sizes — 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carson
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Carson
Violent Crime
12% lower
420.0 vs 477.1 per 100k
Carson
Median Home Value
$160k less
$616,000 vs $775,700
Hayward
Median Income
$2,326
$105,371 vs $103,045/yr
Hayward
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carson, CA | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $616,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,815⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $103,045 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.6 min ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 6.8% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.7:1 | 21.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 29.6% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.3% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Long Beach Unified | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.8°F ✓ Warmer | 59.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.9°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 13.6" ✓ Drier | 16.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,475 | 160,602 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 41.3 ✓ Older | 37.6 |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 56.5% |
| Under 18 | 19.5% | 20.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carson's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Carson is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Carson leads 13 of 21 categories. Carson wins 13 and Hayward wins 8. 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 Carson to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($616,000 vs $775,700 median home), income ($103,045 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carson, CA and Hayward, CA are about 339 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.