Hayward vs Lakewood: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Hayward, CA and Lakewood, CO, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Lakewood, CO |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 160,602 | 156,149 |
| Median household income | $105,371 | $82,786 |
| Median home value | $775,700 | $494,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,260 | $1,665 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Hayward, CA and Lakewood, CO comes down to what you value most. Lakewood has the lower median home value, and Lakewood has the lower median rent.
Hayward has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Hayward or Lakewood?
- By median home value, Lakewood is the cheaper of the two ($494,100 vs $775,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Hayward or Lakewood?
- Median household income is $105,371 in Hayward versus $82,786 in Lakewood, per the US Census Bureau.