Hayward, CA Rental Market Trends
Last updated: February 18, 2026 | Source: RentCafe Market Analysis, Yardi Matrix, U.S. Census Bureau
Highlights
The average rent for an apartment in Hayward is $2,417, a 0.7% decrease compared to the previous year, when the average rent was $2,434.
Studio Apartments at $2,045 offer the most budget-friendly option with 543 square feet, ideal for single renters prioritizing location over space.
One-bedroom apartments provide 693 square feet for $2,200, balancing privacy and affordability.
Two-beedroom units at $2,585 offer 939 square feet, perfect for roommates or small families.
Three-bedroom apartments deliver maximum space (1,144 sq ft) for $3,166, suitable for larger households.
Average rent in Hayward, CA
| Average Rent | Average Apartment Size | |
|---|---|---|
| All Rentals | $2,417 | 824 sq. ft. |
| Studio | $2,045 | 543 sq. ft. |
| 1 Bed | $2,200 | 693 sq. ft. |
| 2 Beds | $2,585 | 939 sq. ft. |
| 3 Beds | $3,166 | 1,144 sq. ft. |
Hayward, CA rent trends
Rental prices in Hayward, CA have decreased by 0.7% over the past year. The average rent moved from $2,434 to $2,417.
What's the typical rent budget in Hayward, CA?
The largest share of rentals in Hayward, CA (44%) fall between $2,001-$2,500 per month. This suggests that most people succesfully find suitable apartments within this price.
Do most people rent or own in Hayward, CA?
21,297 or 43% of the households in Hayward, CA are renter-occupied while 28,173 or 57% are owner-occupied.
Most affordable neighborhoods in Hayward?
Mission - Foothill $1,932/month
Longwood - Winton Grove $2,120/month
Hayward Highland $2,289/month
All of these neighborhoods fall below the city wide average of $2,417/month.Most expensive neighborhoods in Hayward?
Harder - Tennyson $2,486/month
Mission - Garin $2,601/month
North Hayward $2,871/month
These neighborhoods typically command higher rents due to location, amenities, and demand.Average Rent in Hayward, CA By Neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| North Hayward | $2,871 |
| Mission - Garin | $2,601 |
| Harder - Tennyson | $2,486 |
| Upper B Street | $2,373 |
| Santa Clara | $2,339 |
| Jackson Triangle | $2,334 |
| Hayward Highland | $2,289 |
| Longwood - Winton Grove | $2,120 |
| Mission - Foothill | $1,932 |
Hayward | Rent Comparison by Neighborhood
Rent in Harder - Tennyson is 9% higher than in Hayward Highland
Harder - Tennyson rent is 3% higher than Hayward average
Hayward Highland rent is 5% lower than Hayward average
How Hayward Compares to Other Cities
| City | Average Rent |
|---|---|
| Hayward | $2,417 |
| Los Angeles | $2,740 |
| San Francisco | $3,580 |
| East Bay | $2,643 |
| San Diego | $2,958 |
| Long Beach | $2,645 |
| Sacramento | $1,894 |
| San Jose | $3,118 |
| Oakland | $2,578 |
| Tulare | $1,674 |
| Santa Monica | $3,626 |
| Sunnyvale | $3,425 |
| Mountain View | $3,749 |
| Berkeley | $3,294 |
| San Mateo | $3,604 |
| Palo Alto, CA | $2,935 |
| Santa Clara, CA | $3,469 |
| Fremont, CA | $2,830 |
| Menlo Park, CA | $4,537 |
| Redwood City, CA | $3,708 |
| Alameda, CA | $2,987 |
Where this data comes from
The rental statistics on this page were compiled by RentCafe.com, a nationwide apartment search website trusted by millions of renters to find apartments and houses for rent throughout the U.S.
Rent prices, trends, and apartment sizes were calculated based on data from our sister company, Yardi Matrix, an apartment market intelligence solution that covers approximately 90% of the U.S. metro area population. The data includes comprehensive information on all Hayward apartment buildings with 50 or more units, totaling 23.5 million apartments across 181 U.S. markets.
Housing composition data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau, using the most recently available information by tenure.