Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Green Bay leads 13 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High
Population
106,846
Hayward
California
10
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.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
Homes cost $603k less ($172,700 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1396/mo less ($864 vs $2,260)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (4.1%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.1)
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $46,197/yr
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $46,197 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 25°F
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 80°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Green Bay
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$603k less
$172,700 vs $775,700
Green Bay
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
4.1% vs 5.7% unemployment
Green Bay
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 79.8°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$46,197
$105,371 vs $59,174/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
4% lower
477.1 vs 495.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 82.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" | 16.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 160,602 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.0% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 13 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 13 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 Green Bay to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $775,700 median home), income ($59,174 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Hayward, CA are about 1,825 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.