Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Lincoln, NE
🏆 Lincoln 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
Lincoln
Nebraska
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.0 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,846
Violent Crime Index
92 ✓ Safer
Population
290,531 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $37,525 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 36°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 89°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Cost of living runs 26% higher than Lincoln
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Lincoln, NE
Pros
Homes cost $545k less ($230,400 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1262/mo less ($998 vs $2,260)
27% less violent crime than Hayward
26% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 16 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.4 pts lower (3.3%)
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $37,525/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$37,525
$105,371 vs $67,846/yr
Lincoln
Cost of Living
26% cheaper
COL index 92.0 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Lincoln
Violent Crime
27% lower
347.9 vs 477.1 per 100k
Lincoln
Median Home Value
$545k less
$230,400 vs $775,700
Lincoln
Unemployment
2.4 pp lower
3.3% vs 5.7% unemployment
Lincoln
Summer Heat
14.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.4°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lincoln, NE |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 92.0 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $230,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $998 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $67,846 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 3.3% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 18.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 8.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High | 102⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High | 92 ✓ 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+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% | 40.9% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 92.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 35.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 89.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 30.9" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 26.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 | 290,531 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 33.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 56.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 14.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Lincoln's 92.0 (US average = 100).
Lincoln is 26% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Lincoln leads 16 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 7 and Lincoln 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 Lincoln or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $230,400 median home), income ($105,371 vs $67,846), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Lincoln, NE are about 1,374 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.