1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Hayward, CA
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Hayward, California as of October 2026. That's +17% lower than the citywide median of $2,652 and +58% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Hayward
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Hayward
Compare Hayward's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taft | $880 |
| 2 | Lakeport | $900 |
| 3 | Ridgecrest | $938 |
| 4 | California City | $950 |
| 5 | Clearlake | $950 |
| 6 | Oroville | $1,005 |
| 7 | El Centro | $1,020 |
| 8 | Paradise | $1,020 |
| 9 | Red Bluff | $1,030 |
| 10 | Eureka | $1,040 |
| 11 | Fortuna | $1,050 |
| 12 | Porterville | $1,060 |
| 13 | Shafter | $1,060 |
| 14 | Tehachapi | $1,110 |
| 15 | Hanford | $1,120 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in California
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montecito | $4,030 |
| 2 | Cupertino | $3,880 |
| 3 | Foster City | $3,820 |
| 4 | Scotts Valley | $3,600 |
| 5 | Aptos | $3,600 |
| 6 | Tiburon | $3,530 |
| 7 | Los Altos | $3,530 |
| 8 | Coronado | $3,460 |
| 9 | Sunnyvale | $3,438 |
| 10 | Millbrae | $3,410 |
| 11 | Corte Madera | $3,390 |
| 12 | Santa Barbara | $3,382 |
| 13 | Palo Alto | $3,305 |
| 14 | Mountain View | $3,303 |
| 15 | Ladera Ranch | $3,280 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Hayward.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Hayward |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Lorenzo, CA | 4.5 mi | $2,170 | $-28 (-1%) |
| Union City, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,350 | +$152 (+7%) |
| Castro Valley, CA | 4.9 mi | $2,100 | $-98 (-4%) |
| San Leandro, CA | 6.7 mi | $1,955 | $-243 (-11%) |
| Fremont, CA | 9.7 mi | $2,760 | +$562 (+26%) |
| Newark, CA | 10 mi | $2,270 | +$72 (+3%) |
| San Ramon, CA | 12.1 mi | $2,735 | +$537 (+24%) |
| Dublin, CA | 12.2 mi | $2,950 | +$752 (+34%) |
| East Palo Alto, CA | 13.1 mi | $2,550 | +$352 (+16%) |
| Moraga, CA | 13.9 mi | $2,590 | +$392 (+18%) |
| Oakland, CA | 14.4 mi | $2,062 | $-136 (-6%) |
| Foster City, CA | 14.5 mi | $3,820 | +$1,622 (+74%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Hayward — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Hayward?
As of October 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Hayward, California is $2,198 per month. This is +17% below the citywide median of $2,652.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Hayward?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $87,920 ($7,327/month gross), which works out to roughly $42.27/hour at a full-time job.
Is Hayward expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Hayward's 1-bedroom median of $2,198 is +58% above the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 89th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Hayward rank for 1-bedroom rent in California?
Among the 380 cities in California with 1-bedroom data, Hayward ranks #201 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Hayward?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include San Lorenzo ($2,170), Castro Valley ($2,100), San Leandro ($1,955).