Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fresno, CA
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Hayward leads 11 of 21 categories
Fresno
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$63,001
Violent Crime Index
194⚠ High
Population
541,528 ✓ 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.
Fresno, CA
Pros
Homes cost $454k less ($321,800 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1033/mo less ($1,227 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Smaller class sizes — 19.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $42,370/yr
Violent crime (735.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3271.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (9.0% vs 5.7%)
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $42,370 more per year on average
35% less violent crime than Fresno
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 98°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
Fresno
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 105.0 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Fresno
Median Home Value
$454k less
$321,800 vs $775,700
Fresno
Summer Heat
23.0°F warmer
July avg high 97.7°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$42,370
$105,371 vs $63,001/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
35% lower
477.1 vs 735.5 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
5.7% vs 9.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fresno, CA | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $321,800⚠ High ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,227 ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,001 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.3 min ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 178⚠ High | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 194⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 156⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 24.4% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.7% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fresno Unified | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.4°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.7°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.4" ✓ Drier | 16.0" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 541,528 ✓ Larger | 160,602 |
| Median Age | 32.1 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.1% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresno's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Fresno is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Hayward leads 11 of 21 categories. Fresno wins 10 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 Fresno to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($321,800 vs $775,700 median home), income ($63,001 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fresno, CA and Hayward, CA are about 140 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.