2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Hayward, CA vs Vacaville, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Vacaville or is it cheaper to live in Hayward?
- Vacaville is 31.3% less expensive than Hayward.

Which city has more affordable housing, Vacaville or Hayward?
- Vacaville housing costs are 33.5% less expensive than Hayward housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Hayward or is Health Care more affordable in Vacaville.
- Health related expenses are 3.9% less in Vacaville.
 Hayward, CAVacaville, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock134.3100
 Food & Groceries110.6  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock112.3100
 Housing290.1  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$580,100$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock104.4100
 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 12 years ago

convenient BART and bus if you have no  More

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Reviews for Vacaville    10 Reviews

I am a former Bay Area resident who moved to Vacaville to escape the ridiculous cost of living in the Bay. Now, if you are coming from the Bay, this place can seem more  More

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Over 7 years ago

It’s not a bad or dangerous place to live but I believe it doesn’t deserve the 5 stars most people are giving it. I have no idea where these people lived before moving  More

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If you enjoy a sophisticated urban environment, if you're single, if you're highly educated and appreciate access to continuing higher education at the post-graduate  More

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