Cost of Living: Arlington, VA vs Hayward, CA (2026)

Arlington

Virginia
203
VS

Hayward

California
200

Arlington is 2% more expensive than Hayward.

$2,275/mo ↓ 4%
Median Rent
$2,360/mo ↑ 4%
$140,160/yr ↑ 23%
Median Income
$113,775/yr ↓ 19%
$864,800 ↑ 5%
Home Value
$820,700 ↓ 5%
$2,414/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$2,420/mo ≈ Same
235,463
Population
159,201

Tax Comparison

5.75%
Income Tax
13.3%
5.3%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.8%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

19.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, VA and Hayward, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 203 and 200 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $85/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $1,020/year.

Median household income is $26,385/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $864,800 compared to $820,700 in Hayward.

Virginia has a lower income tax rate, making Arlington slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Hayward — common questions

Is Arlington or Hayward cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Hayward is cheaper to live in with an index of 200 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Hayward?
Median rent in Arlington is $2,275/month and in Hayward it's $2,360/month — a difference of $85/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Hayward?
Median household income is $140,160 in Arlington and $113,775 in Hayward. Median household income is $26,385/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Virginia and California?
Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Hayward?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 203 with median rent of $2,275/mo, while Hayward has a cost index of 200 with rent of $2,360/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Hayward details →

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