2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hayward, CA vs San Mateo, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in San Mateo or is it cheaper to live in Hayward?
- San Mateo is 27.9% more expensive than Hayward.

Which city has more affordable housing, San Mateo or Hayward?
- San Mateo housing costs are 85.3% more expensive than Hayward housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hayward or is Health Care more affordable in San Mateo.
- Health related expenses are 0.5% more in San Mateo.
 Hayward, CASan Mateo, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock250.0100
 Food & Groceries110.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock117.4100
 Housing290.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,378,900$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock143.4100
 Miscellaneous158.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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 San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

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I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

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Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

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