Hayward, CA, known as "The Heart of the Bay," is a vibrant city with a rich history and a high quality of life. Located in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, Hayward is approximately 25 miles southeast of San Francisco and 15 miles north of San Jose. This medium-sized city is celebrated for its beautiful parks, diverse communities, and strong sense of community.
Hayward's climate features mild winters and warm, dry summers, ideal for enjoying outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts numerous parks and recreational areas, such as the scenic Garin Regional Park and the expansive Hayward Japanese Gardens, which offer hiking, biking, and opportunities for family picnics.
The cultural scene in Hayward is dynamic, with attractions like the Hayward Area Historical Society Museum, the Douglas Morrisson Theatre, and the historic Meek Mansion. The city hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year, including the Hayward Zucchini Festival and the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District's Summer Concert Series, celebrating the community's artistic and cultural achievements.
Education is a priority in Hayward, with the Hayward Unified School District providing education to its students. The city is also home to California State University, East Bay, offering higher education opportunities. This focus on education makes Hayward an attractive place for families. The presence of major healthcare institutions, such as the St. Rose Hospital, also supports a strong job market and ensures residents have access to top-notch medical care.
Living in Hayward combines the benefits of urban living with the warmth of a close-knit community. Residents enjoy access to excellent healthcare facilities, diverse dining options, and a range of housing choices. The city's efficient public transportation system, including buses and BART, makes commuting and exploring the area convenient. With its cultural richness, excellent amenities, and welcoming atmosphere, living in Hayward offers a dynamic and fulfilling experience.
Amenities
The area boasts an ample array of local amenities, such as restaurants, entertainment options, grocery stores and parks, all conveniently located within walking distance.
Commute
A high commute score suggests convenient, easy access to public transportation, with shorter-than-average work commute times to work.
Employment
This area excels in the employment category with a score well above average, primarily due to the higher median home income, per capita income and low unemployment rates.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Ratings
Locals express favorable opinions about the proximity of everyday local amenities, parks, public transit, neighborly atmosphere, strong sense of community and the general safety of the area.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this area is notably high, making it a more expensive place to live. You'll find higher expenses for everyday goods and services, housing and groceries.
Hayward is a mid-sized city located in the state of California. The city has a population of 158,817 inhabitants. With a population density of 3,466 people per square mile, Hayward is well above the nation's average density level. More than a quarter of the residents of Hayward identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 31% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. Something to be aware of when living in Hayward are the above average commute times. If you're looking for a short commute to work, this might not be the right area for you. With one way commute time of 36 minutes, this comes in much higher than the national average of 26 minutes.
If you’re considering relocating to any new city, it could be a very intimidating task. However, it could also be a fulfilling experience if you are willing to get to know the town before actually living in Hayward, California. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Hayward and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Hayward to California and the national average.
Hayward has a livability score of 79/100 and is ranked #61 in California and #1,683 in the USA. Clearly, Hayward is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. Hayward has also earned the rare honor of ranking in the top 10 percentile among all cities. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Hayward has been rewarded with high marks for amenities (A), education (B+), employment (A+) and housing (B). On a less positive note, Hayward does not have favorable ranks for the following: cost of living (F). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Living in Hayward offers many benefits and offers an extensive array of local amenities. These amenities play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life in this vibrant community. From readily accessible grocery stores to charming coffee shops, diverse dining options and generously spaced parks, Hayward provides a wide spectrum of resources for its residents. This ensures that your daily requirements are effortlessly met and creates abundant opportunities for leisure and recreation. The abundant local offerings contribute to the area's overall appeal, making it an attractive destination for those seeking convenience, variety and a fulfilling lifestyle. If you're considering a move, the wealth of local amenities continues could be a defining feature of this remarkable locale.
A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Hayward excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Hayward is actually affordable. The median home price for Hayward homes is $622,700, which is 52.1% higher than the California average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Hayward, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 6.8, which is 6.2% higher than the California average.
| Statistic | Hayward | California | National |
| Average one way commute | 36min | 28min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 68.0% | 73.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 13.8% | 10.6% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 8.8% | 5.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.4% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 1.5% | 2.7% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 6.1% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
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