Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fontana, CA
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Fontana leads 12 of 22 categories
Fontana
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$93,230
Violent Crime Index
71 ✓ Safer
Population
209,279 ✓ Larger
Hayward
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High
Population
160,602
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fontana, CA
Pros
Homes cost $269k less ($506,600 vs $775,700)
43% less violent crime than Hayward
Rent averages $644/mo less ($1,616 vs $2,260)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 59°F
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $12,141/yr
Hayward, CA
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Households earn $12,141 more per year on average
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 94°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
Fontana
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 107.9 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Fontana
Violent Crime
43% lower
270.2 vs 477.1 per 100k
Fontana
Median Home Value
$269k less
$506,600 vs $775,700
Fontana
Summer Heat
19.1°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$12,141
$105,371 vs $93,230/yr
Hayward
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fontana, CA | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $506,600⚠ High ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,616⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $93,230 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.4% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 66 ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 71 ✓ Safer | 126⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 58 ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.7:1 | 21.3:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.3% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fontana Unified | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.7°F ✓ Warmer | 59.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.3" | 16.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 209,279 ✓ Larger | 160,602 |
| Median Age | 32.6 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 66.6% ✓ Higher | 56.5% |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 8.8% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fontana's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Fontana is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Fontana leads 12 of 22 categories. Fontana wins 12 and Hayward wins 10. 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 Fontana to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($506,600 vs $775,700 median home), income ($93,230 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fontana, CA and Hayward, CA are about 356 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.