Anaheim, CA vs Hayward, CA

Anaheim is moderately more affordable than Hayward, with a 7.5% lower cost of living index. Anaheim scores 167 compared to 180 for Hayward, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Hayward can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Anaheim is $2,082/month compared to $2,360/month in Hayward — a 12% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Anaheim is more affordable at $771,700 median vs $820,700.

Median household income in Anaheim is $90,583 compared to $113,775 in Hayward (-20.4%). While Hayward is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Anaheim spend roughly 27.6% of their income on rent, more than the 24.9% in Hayward.