Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hayward, CA
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Hayward
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$105,371 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
126⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
160,602 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High
Population
114,214
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Hayward, CA
Pros
Households earn $42,952 more per year on average
47% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (5.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 36°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 75°F vs 86°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $775,700
Higher rents — median is $2,260/mo
Cost of living runs 28% higher than Springfield
Violent crime (477.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $628k less ($147,700 vs $775,700)
Rent averages $1347/mo less ($913 vs $2,260)
28% cheaper overall cost of living than Hayward
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Hayward by $42,952/yr
Violent crime (901.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Hayward
Median Income
$42,952
$105,371 vs $62,419/yr
Hayward
Violent Crime
47% lower
477.1 vs 901.2 per 100k
Hayward
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
5.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
28% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$628k less
$147,700 vs $775,700
Springfield
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 74.7°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 118.2⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $775,700⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.2 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 126⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 174⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.3:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.5% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.6% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hayward Unified | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.3°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 74.7°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.0" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 160,602 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.5% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.2% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hayward's cost of living index is 118.2 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 28% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Hayward wins 10 and Springfield 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 Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($775,700 vs $147,700 median home), income ($105,371 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hayward, CA and Springfield, IL are about 1,747 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.