Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chico, CA
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Chico leads 12 of 23 categories
Chico
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$65,932
Violent Crime Index
184⚠ High
Population
102,790
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 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Chico, CA
Pros
Homes cost $348k less ($427,600 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $900/mo less ($1,360 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
More college-educated — 41.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Smaller class sizes — 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $39,439/yr
Violent crime (699.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (6.9% vs 5.7%)
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $39,439 more per year on average
32% less violent crime than Chico
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 95°F
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
Chico
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 104.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Chico
Median Home Value
$348k less
$427,600 vs $775,700
Chico
Summer Heat
20.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.2°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$39,439
$105,371 vs $65,932/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
32% lower
477.1 vs 699.2 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.9% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chico, CA | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $427,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $65,932 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.5 min ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 11.5% ✓ Higher | 11.3% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 147⚠ High | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 184⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 90 ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (112) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.3% ✓ Higher | 31.5% |
| High School or Higher | 93.2% ✓ Higher | 82.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Inspire School of Arts and Sciences District | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.2°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 28.3" | 16.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 102,790 | 160,602 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 30.4 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.1% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 18.7% | 20.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.5% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chico's cost of living index is 104.6 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Chico is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Chico leads 12 of 23 categories. Chico 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 Chico to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($427,600 vs $775,700 median home), income ($65,932 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chico, CA and Hayward, CA are about 148 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.