Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Jacksonville, FL
🏆 Jacksonville leads 15 of 22 categories
Hayward
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602
Jacksonville
Florida
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,138
Violent Crime Index
164⚠ High
Population
950,203 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $41,233 more per year on average
24% less violent crime than Jacksonville
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 92°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 19% higher than Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
Pros
Homes cost $533k less ($243,000 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $979/mo less ($1,281 vs $2,260)
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 59°F
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $41,233/yr
Violent crime (623.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2494.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$41,233
$105,371 vs $64,138/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
24% lower
477.1 vs 623.8 per 100k
Jacksonville
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 99.2 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Jacksonville
Median Home Value
$533k less
$243,000 vs $775,700
Jacksonville
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.7% unemployment
Jacksonville
Summer Heat
17.1°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Jacksonville, FL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 99.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $243,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $1,281 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $64,138 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 24.4 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 11.1% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 146⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 164⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B- (95) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 19.1:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% ✓ Higher | 31.0% |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 90.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | DUVAL |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F | 65.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 53.1" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 | 950,203 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 36.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 57.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 14.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Jacksonville's 99.2 (US average = 100).
Jacksonville is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Jacksonville leads 15 of 22 categories. Hayward wins 7 and Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $243,000 median home), income ($105,371 vs $64,138), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Jacksonville, FL are about 2,352 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.