Golden, CO vs Hayward, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Golden
67.8
#1379 nationally
Hayward
61.7
#1891 nationally
Golden leads in crime level (3.4 vs 13.1). Golden leads in average commute (23.8 min vs 34.2 min). Hayward leads in walk score (57 vs 42).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Golden, CO | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.8 (#1379) | 61.7 (#1891) |
| Population | 20,242 | 155,675 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $865,982 | $831,558 |
| Median Household Income | $90,990 | $105,371 |
| Average Commute | 23.8 min | 34.2 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 3.4 | 13.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+19.5 | D+53.6 |
D+
67.8 Score
Golden, CO
Small Colorado city with local appeal
Median Home
$865,982
Population
20,242
Crime
Low
Walk Score
42
West
View Golden, CO →
D-
61.7 Score
Hayward, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$831,558
Population
155,675
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
57
Pacific
View Hayward, CA →