2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Hayward, CA vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Merced older or younger than people in Hayward?
- The Median Age in Merced is 7.0 years younger than in Hayward.

Are housing costs cheaper in Merced or Hayward?
- Merced housing costs are 53.5% less expensive than Hayward housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Merced or Hayward?
- The average commute for residents of Merced is 8.9 minutes shorter than it is for residents of Hayward.

Things to do in Hayward?
Hayward, California is a vibrant city located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Home to many outdoor attractions such as Don Castro Regional Park and Garin Regional Park, visitors can explore nature at its finest when visiting Hayward. There are also plenty of cultural attractions including galleries and museums. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Hayward has something for everyone!

Things to do in Merced?
Merced, California is a mid-sized city located in Central Valley known for its proximity to Yosemite National Park or Lake Yosemite making it an ideal spot for outdoor recreation.

 Hayward, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,993329,725,481
 Median Income$98,837  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock29.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$802,800  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time32.42  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Hayward    4 Reviews

I've lived in Hayward for 20 years. Traditionally a working  More

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Hetchy Hechy water is very pure,the summers are about 78f..warm enough. Winters are sunny for the most part and by average.One University and one College in this small  More

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Over 11 years ago

convenient BART and bus if you have no  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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