Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Hillsboro, OR
🏆 Hillsboro leads 15 of 23 categories
Hayward
California
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
Hillsboro
Oregon
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$98,891
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
106,612
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 47°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 82°F
Households earn $6,480 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Hillsboro, OR
Pros
Homes cost $323k less ($452,300 vs $775,700)
33% less violent crime than Hayward
Rent averages $463/mo less ($1,797 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.6%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $6,480/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$6,480
$105,371 vs $98,891/yr
Hillsboro
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 106.6 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Hillsboro
Violent Crime
33% lower
317.7 vs 477.1 per 100k
Hillsboro
Median Home Value
$323k less
$452,300 vs $775,700
Hillsboro
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.6% vs 5.7% unemployment
Hillsboro
Summer Heat
7.4°F warmer
July avg high 82.1°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Hillsboro, OR |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 106.6⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $452,300⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $1,797⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $98,891 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 23.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% | 17.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High | 96 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 84 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 19.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% | 41.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Hillsboro SD 1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 47.3°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 82.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 35.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 2.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 ✓ Larger | 106,612 |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 34.5 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 50.5% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 21.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Hillsboro's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Hillsboro is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hillsboro leads 15 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 8 and Hillsboro wins 15. 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 Hillsboro or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $452,300 median home), income ($105,371 vs $98,891), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Hillsboro, OR are about 548 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.