Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Santa Monica, CA
🏆 Santa Monica leads 13 of 22 categories
Hayward
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
Santa Monica
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$106,797 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
205⚠ High
Population
92,168
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Homes cost $879k less ($775,700 vs $1,654,800)
39% less violent crime than Santa Monica
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (5.7%)
Cons
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Property crime (3656.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 34.2 min average each way
Santa Monica, CA
Pros
More college-educated — 67.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 69°F vs 75°F
Smaller class sizes — 18.6:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,654,800
Violent crime (778.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (4790.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Violent Crime
39% lower
477.1 vs 778.0 per 100k
Hayward
Median Home Value
$879k less
$775,700 vs $1,654,800
Hayward
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.2% unemployment
Hayward
Summer Heat
5.3°F warmer
July avg high 74.7°F vs 69.4°F
Santa Monica
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Santa Monica
Median Income
$1,426
$106,797 vs $105,371/yr
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Santa Monica, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,654,800⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $2,227⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 | $106,797 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.2%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 25.3 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% | 27.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 214⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 205⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High ✓ Safer | 228⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 18.6:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% | 67.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 94.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Santa Monica-Malibu Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F | 62.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F ✓ Warmer | 69.4°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" | 12.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 ✓ Larger | 92,168 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 42.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 28.9% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% ✓ More | 15.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 18.8% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Santa Monica's 115.5 (US average = 100).
Santa Monica is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Santa Monica leads 13 of 22 categories. Hayward wins 9 and Santa Monica wins 13. 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 Santa Monica or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $1,654,800 median home), income ($105,371 vs $106,797), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Santa Monica, CA are about 321 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.