Alton, IL vs Hayward, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Alton
77.1
#275 nationally
Hayward
61.7
#1891 nationally
Hayward leads in median household income ($105,371 vs $49,439). Alton leads in cost of living index (84 vs 173). Hayward leads in crime level (13.1 vs 26.4).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Alton, IL | Hayward, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 77.1 (#275) | 61.7 (#1891) |
| Population | 25,006 | 155,675 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $105,039 | $831,558 |
| Median Household Income | $49,439 | $105,371 |
| Average Commute | 23.4 min | 34.2 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 57 |
| Crime Level | 26.4 | 13.1 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 84 | 173 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+13.3 | D+53.6 |
C+
77.1 Score
Alton, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$105,039
Population
25,006
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Alton, IL →
D-
61.7 Score
Hayward, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$831,558
Population
155,675
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
57
Pacific
View Hayward, CA →