Arcadia, CA vs Hayward, CA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Hayward is 18.9% cheaper than Arcadia. With a cost index of 180 vs 214, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Hayward to Arcadia should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Arcadia is $2,118/month compared to $2,360/month in Hayward — a 10% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Arcadia has cheaper rent, Hayward actually has lower median home values ($820,700 vs $1,336,500).

Median household income in Arcadia is $116,142 compared to $113,775 in Hayward (+2.1%). Arcadia does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Arcadia spend roughly 21.9% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Hayward.