Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Downey, CA
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Downey leads 12 of 20 categories
Downey
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$84,236
Violent Crime Index
121⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
113,052
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.
Downey, CA
Pros
Rent averages $446/mo less ($1,814 vs $2,260)
Homes cost $97k less ($679,000 vs $775,700)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 59°F
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Violent crime (460.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Hayward by $21,135/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (2650.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $21,135 more per year on average
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 81°F
Smaller class sizes — 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Key Differences at a Glance
Downey
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Downey
Violent Crime
3% lower
460.5 vs 477.1 per 100k
Downey
Median Home Value
$97k less
$679,000 vs $775,700
Downey
Summer Heat
6.7°F warmer
July avg high 81.4°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$21,135
$105,371 vs $84,236/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Downey, 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 | $679,000⚠ High ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,814⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $84,236 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.2% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 121⚠ High ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ 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 | 25.2% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Downey Unified | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.4°F ✓ Warmer | 59.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 81.4°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 15.2" ✓ Drier | 16.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 113,052 | 160,602 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.4% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Downey's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Downey is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 20 decided categories above, Downey leads 12 of 20 categories. Downey wins 12 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 Downey to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($679,000 vs $775,700 median home), income ($84,236 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Downey, CA and Hayward, CA are about 338 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.