Gilroy, CA vs Hayward, CA

Gilroy, CA and Hayward, CA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.7% difference in their overall index. Gilroy scores 188 while Hayward scores 180 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Gilroy is $2,270/month compared to $2,360/month in Hayward — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Gilroy has cheaper rent, Hayward actually has lower median home values ($820,700 vs $975,800).

Median household income in Gilroy is $131,554 compared to $113,775 in Hayward (+15.6%). While Gilroy is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Gilroy spend roughly 20.7% of their income on rent, less than the 24.9% in Hayward.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (57.2°F vs 59.7°F). Gilroy receives more rainfall at 22.4" per year compared to 16" in Hayward.