Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hartford, CT
VS
Hayward, CA
🏆 Hayward leads 14 of 23 categories
Hartford
Connecticut
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$41,841
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High
Population
121,057
Hayward
California
14
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.
Hartford, CT
Pros
Homes cost $577k less ($198,900 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1106/mo less ($1,154 vs $2,260)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Smaller class sizes — 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $63,530/yr
Violent crime (515.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2845.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (10.6% vs 5.7%)
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $63,530 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.9 pts lower (5.7%)
8% less violent crime than Hartford
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 37°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 85°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
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Hartford
Key Differences at a Glance
Hartford
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 96.1 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Hartford
Median Home Value
$577k less
$198,900 vs $775,700
Hartford
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 84.6°F vs 74.7°F
Hayward
Median Income
$63,530
$105,371 vs $41,841/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
8% lower
477.1 vs 515.8 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
4.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 10.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $198,900 ✓ Lower | $775,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,154 ✓ Lower | $2,260⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,841 | $105,371 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6%⚠ High | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min ✓ Shorter | 34.2 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 11.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 145⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 174⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | C+ (88) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.3:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.5% | 31.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 82.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hartford School District | Hayward Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.8°F | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.6°F ✓ Warmer | 74.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" | 16.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,057 | 160,602 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 37.6 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.6% | 56.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 20.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 13.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hartford's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Hayward's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Hartford is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hayward leads 14 of 23 categories. Hartford wins 9 and Hayward wins 14. 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 Hartford to Hayward or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,900 vs $775,700 median home), income ($41,841 vs $105,371), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hartford, CT and Hayward, CA are about 2,607 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.