Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Hayward leads 12 of 23 categories
Hayward
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $53,848 more per year on average
23% less violent crime than Roanoke
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 88°F
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 47°F
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Cost of living runs 27% higher than Roanoke
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $614k less ($162,000 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1343/mo less ($917 vs $2,260)
27% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $53,848/yr
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$53,848
$105,371 vs $51,523/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
23% lower
477.1 vs 620.4 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Roanoke
Cost of Living
27% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$614k less
$162,000 vs $775,700
Roanoke
Summer Heat
13.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.1°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 20.9 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 9.7% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 89.1% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 47.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 88.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 14.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 52.1% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 27% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Hayward leads 12 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 12 and Roanoke wins 11. 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 Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $162,000 median home), income ($105,371 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Roanoke, VA are about 2,292 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.