Beaumont, CA vs Hayward, CA

The cost of living difference between Beaumont, CA and Hayward, CA is dramatic. Beaumont is 32.6% cheaper than Hayward, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Beaumont has a cost index of 121 while Hayward sits at 180, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Beaumont is $1,505/month compared to $2,360/month in Hayward — a 36% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Beaumont is more affordable at $464,000 median vs $820,700.

Median household income in Beaumont is $105,164 compared to $113,775 in Hayward (-7.6%). Hayward 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 Beaumont spend roughly 17.2% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Hayward.