Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
South Gate, CA
🏆 Hayward leads 12 of 22 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
South Gate
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,188
Violent Crime Index
138⚠ High
Population
92,381
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $38,183 more per year on average
9% less violent crime than South Gate
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.2 pts lower (5.7%)
More college-educated — 31.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 82°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
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)
South Gate, CA
Pros
Rent averages $860/mo less ($1,400 vs $2,260)
Homes cost $197k less ($578,900 vs $775,700)
Milder winters — January highs near 68°F vs 59°F
Smaller class sizes — 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $38,183/yr
Violent crime (525.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Property crime (3598.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$38,183
$105,371 vs $67,188/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
9% lower
477.1 vs 525.6 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
2.2 pp lower
5.7% vs 7.9% unemployment
South Gate
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 115.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
South Gate
Median Home Value
$197k less
$578,900 vs $775,700
South Gate
Summer Heat
7.3°F warmer
July avg high 82.0°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | South Gate, 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 | $578,900⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $1,400⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $67,188 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 32.3 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 6.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 152⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 138⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High | 171⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) ✓ Better | C- (72) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 17.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% ✓ Higher | 11.5% |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% ✓ Higher | 58.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Westbrook Academy District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F | 68.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 82.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" | 14.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 ✓ Larger | 92,381 |
| Median Age | 37.6 ✓ Older | 33.7 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% ✓ Higher | 44.8% |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 24.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% ✓ More | 11.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs South Gate's 115.5 (US average = 100).
South Gate is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Hayward leads 12 of 22 categories. Hayward wins 12 and South Gate wins 10. 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 South Gate or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $578,900 median home), income ($105,371 vs $67,188), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and South Gate, CA are about 336 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.