How much does it cost to rent in Hayward, CA?

As of July 2026, the median monthly rent in Hayward, CA is $2,615. This figure is based on aggregated data from public sources and community-submitted rents.

Is Hayward cheaper than other California cities?

Hayward falls in the middle range for California, ranking #243 out of 387 cities at $2,615/mo.

When was Hayward rent data last updated?

Hayward rent data reflects July 2026 and was last refreshed on July 20, 2026. RentDataNow refreshes all data monthly using public and private datasets.

City Report · CA

Hayward

Name: Average Rent Prices in Hayward, CA
Creator: RentDataNow
License: https://rentdatanow.com/terms-of-service

Pop. 158,801·243rd most expensive in California·One of the pricier rental markets in the US

Median rent (all units)

$2,615/mo

Year-over-Year

+2.1%

Month-over-Month

+1.7%

vs US Median

+$650

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

Hayward · $2,615

More expensive than 82% of US cities · National median $1,965/mo

Rent Reality Score

58/100

Fairly priced

OverheatedFairGreat value

Rents are 4% below what Hayward's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.

Actual rent

$2,615/mo

Expected by trend

$2,724/mo

The Rent Reality Score compares today's median rent to where Hayward's own long-run trajectory projects it should be. See the full rankings →

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$1,935

1 BR

$2,198

2 BR

$2,678

3 BR

$3,425

4 BR+

$4,070

Research median

$2,678/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

Loading…

Last updated: July 20, 2026

Annual cost

$31,380/yr

At $2,615/mo median

Rent Market Meter

Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are climbing (2.1% YoY), so leverage tilts toward landlords. Act sooner rather than later.

Based on rent-price momentum (+2.1% YoY, +1.7% MoM), not inventory.

Rent check

Is your rent fair?

Compare your rent to the local median.

Demographics

Who lives here

Hayward, CA is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 34% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

158,801

Median income

$113,318

Median age

38.6

Renters

42%

Age distribution

19.6%

24.9%

27.7%

13.4%

14.4%

Under 1819.6%

18–3424.9%

35–5427.7%

55–6413.4%

65+14.4%

Gender

50.1%

49.9%

Male50.1%

Female49.9%

Race & ethnicity

16.4%

41.3%

30.5%

White16.4%

Black7.9%

Hispanic41.3%

Asian30.5%

Other3.9%

Education (25+)

18%

23.6%

24.3%

34%

No HS diploma18%

HS diploma23.6%

Some college24.3%

Bachelor's+34%

Housing tenure

58%

42%

Owner58%

Renter42%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How Hayward, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,247 → $2,615

up 16.4%

Income

$98,837 → $113,318

up 14.7%

Population

162,254 → 158,801

down 2.1%

Renter share

44.2% → 42%

-2.2 pts

Bachelor's+

30.9% → 34%

+3.1 pts

Median age

36.6 → 38.6

+2.0 yrs

Five years ago, renters in Hayward, CA paid around $2,247 a month. That figure now sits near $2,615, up 16.4% from the 2021 baseline. Median household income climbed from $98,837 to $113,318 between 2021 and 2024, a 14.7% shift. Census counts show Hayward, CA losing about 3,453 residents over the five-year window, down 2.1% on net. The renter share has eased from 44.2% to 42%, with owner-occupied housing accounting for the remainder. Bachelor's-degree-or-higher attainment moved from 30.9% to 34% across the same window. Taken together, the five-year picture in Hayward, CA reflects how housing costs and the people paying them have evolved through a stretch that included a pandemic, a hot rental market, and a recent cooling phase.

Community

Discussions about Hayward

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View Hayward rent history (2015–2026) →

Salary vs rent

Can you afford rent in Hayward on your salary?

At $2,615/mo, how Hayward rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).

Registered Nurse

Avg $111,486/yr · Rent = 28.1% income

affordable

Elementary School Teacher

Avg $79,154/yr · Rent = 39.6% income

stretched

Police Officer

Avg $91,179/yr · Rent = 34.4% income

stretched

Software Developer

Avg $162,970/yr · Rent = 19.3% income

very comfortable

Lawyer

Avg $208,235/yr · Rent = 15.1% income

very comfortable

Firefighter

Avg $74,116/yr · Rent = 42.3% income

rent-burdened

Truck Driver

Avg $66,918/yr · Rent = 46.9% income

rent-burdened

Electrician

Avg $82,482/yr · Rent = 38% income

stretched

By apartment size

Hayward rent by bedroom count

Median rent for each apartment size in Hayward. Click any size for full breakdown.

Local insights

Tips for renters in Hayward

About renting in Hayward, CA

Last updated: July 20, 2026

The median rent in Hayward is $2,615/mo as of July 2026. A studio apartment averages $1,935/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $2,678/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $2,198/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $3,425/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($113,318/yr), Hayward ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 2.1% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is Hayward an affordable city for renters?

Hayward is considered affordable for renters. At $2,615/mo, rent takes approximately 28% of the local median household income ($113,318/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%. Hayward falls comfortably within that range.

How much income do you need to rent in Hayward?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $105,000/year (~$50/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $2,615/mo in Hayward. The local median household income is $113,318/yr, meaning the typical Hayward household meets that threshold.

Is rent going up or down in Hayward?

Rent in Hayward has increased 2.1% over the past year as of July 2026, putting upward pressure on renter budgets.

Which Hayward neighborhoods have the lowest rent?

The most affordable ZIP codes in Hayward are 94542 ($2,456/mo), 94541 ($2,601/mo), and 94544 ($2,679/mo). Citywide, the median rent in Hayward is $2,615/mo.

How does Hayward rent compare to other cities in California?

Hayward is middle-of-the-pack for California for rent, ranking #243 out of 387 tracked cities at $2,615/mo.

Which nearby cities are cheaper to rent in than Hayward?

Several nearby cities have lower median rents than Hayward ($2,615/mo): San Lorenzo ($2,238/mo), San Leandro ($2,468/mo).

What percentage of Hayward residents rent vs. own?

According to Census data, approximately 42% of Hayward households are renters, while 58% are owner-occupied. Hayward leans toward homeownership, which can mean a smaller rental inventory.

How does Hayward rent compare to the national average?

Hayward's median rent of $2,615/mo is $650 (33%) above the US national median of $1,965/mo. Within California, it ranks #243 out of 387 tracked cities.

Income Affordability

28%

AFFORDABLE

At $2,615/mo, rent takes ~28% of Hayward's median household income ($113,318/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.

Hayward 28%Benchmark 30%

State income tax1–13.3%

Run the Hayward affordability calculator →

Nearby cities