Hayward, CA vs Monterey Park, CA

Monterey Park is moderately more affordable than Hayward, with a 10.3% lower cost of living index. Hayward scores 180 compared to 163 for Monterey Park, 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 Hayward is $2,360/month compared to $1,845/month in Monterey Park — a 28% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Monterey Park is more affordable at $818,300 median vs $820,700.

Median household income in Hayward is $113,775 compared to $77,605 in Monterey Park (+46.6%). 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 Hayward spend roughly 24.9% of their income on rent, less than the 28.5% in Monterey Park.

Climate-wise, Monterey Park is notably warmer with an average of 65.8°F compared to 59.7°F in Hayward. Hayward receives more rainfall at 16" per year compared to 14.3" in Monterey Park.