Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
High Point, NC
🏆 High Point leads 16 of 23 categories
Hayward
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
High Point
North Carolina
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.7 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,582
Violent Crime Index
120⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,120
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $46,789 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 89°F
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 52°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than High Point
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
High Point, NC
Pros
Homes cost $579k less ($196,500 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1230/mo less ($1,030 vs $2,260)
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.7)
Smaller class sizes — 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $46,789/yr
Violent crime (454.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2456.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$46,789
$105,371 vs $58,582/yr
Hayward
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
High Point
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 92.7 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
High Point
Violent Crime
5% lower
454.8 vs 477.1 per 100k
High Point
Median Home Value
$579k less
$196,500 vs $775,700
High Point
Summer Heat
14.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | High Point, NC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 92.7 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $196,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $1,030 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $58,582 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 20.7 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 8.0% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 120⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High | 117⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (103) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 15.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% | 34.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 86.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Guilford County Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 51.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 1.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 ✓ Larger | 114,120 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 37.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 58.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs High Point's 92.7 (US average = 100).
High Point is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, High Point leads 16 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 7 and High Point wins 16. 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 Hayward to High Point or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $196,500 median home), income ($105,371 vs $58,582), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and High Point, NC are about 2,313 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.