Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Seattle, WA
🏆 Seattle leads 12 of 23 categories
Hayward
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602
Seattle
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$116,068 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
204⚠ High
Population
734,603 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
38% less violent crime than Seattle
Homes cost $104k less ($775,700 vs $879,900)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 47°F
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)
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Property crime (3656.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Seattle, WA
Pros
More college-educated — 66.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (4.2%)
Rent averages $315/mo less ($1,945 vs $2,260)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Households earn $10,697 more per year on average
5% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Violent crime (775.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 113.0)
Property crime (5007.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Pricier housing — median home is $879,900
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Violent Crime
38% lower
477.1 vs 775.1 per 100k
Hayward
Median Home Value
$104k less
$775,700 vs $879,900
Seattle
Cost of Living
5% cheaper
COL index 113.0 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Seattle
Median Income
$10,697
$116,068 vs $105,371/yr
Seattle
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
4.2% vs 5.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 113.0⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $879,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $1,945⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 | $116,068 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 27.2 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% | 27.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 218⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 204⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High ✓ Safer | 238⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (112) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 16.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% | 66.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 95.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Seattle School District No. 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 47.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 76.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 38.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 3.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 | 734,603 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 35.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 44.5% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% ✓ More | 14.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 12.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Seattle's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Seattle is 5% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Seattle leads 12 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 11 and Seattle wins 12. 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 Seattle or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $879,900 median home), income ($105,371 vs $116,068), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Seattle, WA are about 691 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.