Fountain Valley, CA vs Hayward, CA

Hayward is moderately more affordable than Fountain Valley, with a 11% lower cost of living index. Fountain Valley scores 200 compared to 180 for Hayward, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Fountain Valley can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Fountain Valley is $2,507/month compared to $2,360/month in Hayward — a 6% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Hayward is more affordable at $820,700 median vs $1,018,600.

Median household income in Fountain Valley is $111,797 compared to $113,775 in Hayward (-1.7%). Hayward offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Fountain Valley spend roughly 26.9% of their income on rent, more than the 24.9% in Hayward.

Climate-wise, Fountain Valley is notably warmer with an average of 64.9°F compared to 59.7°F in Hayward. Hayward receives more rainfall at 16" per year compared to 11.2" in Fountain Valley.