Hayward vs Alexandria: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Hayward, CA and Alexandria, VA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Hayward, CA | Alexandria, VA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 160,602 | 157,594 |
| Median household income | $105,371 | $113,179 |
| Median home value | $775,700 | $655,700 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $2,260 | $1,983 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Hayward, CA and Alexandria, VA comes down to what you value most. Alexandria has the lower median home value, and Alexandria has the lower median rent.
Alexandria 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 Alexandria?
- By median home value, Alexandria is the cheaper of the two ($655,700 vs $775,700). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Hayward or Alexandria?
- Median household income is $105,371 in Hayward versus $113,179 in Alexandria, per the US Census Bureau.