Hayward vs San Francisco: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Hayward, California compare to San Francisco, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Hayward is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 42% lower in Hayward compared to San Francisco, while rent is 2% lower.
| Metric | Hayward, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $775,700 | $1,348,700 | -42.5% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,260 | $2,316 | -2.4% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $105,371 | $136,689 | -22.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $42,311 | $86,186 | -50.9% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 13.3% | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 8.7% | same |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 160,602 | 851,036 | -81.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Hayward
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Francisco
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Hayward costs $775,700 compared to $1,348,700 in San Francisco — a 42% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,260/mo in Hayward vs $2,316/mo in San Francisco.
- Income: Median household income is $105,371 in Hayward and $136,689 in San Francisco.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).