Neighborhood

Downtown Hayward, Hayward, CA

Neighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood RatingNeighborhood Rating
2.6 /5

Neighborhood Factors

Market Conditions

  • Neighborhood Factors
    Price
    $593.9k
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Overvalued
    $9k(2)
  • Neighborhood Factors
    Appreciation
    2%(2)

(2) City data used

At a glance

Downtown Hayward is ranked #16 of 20 neighborhoods in Hayward with an overall score of 2.7/5. Its standout factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and public spaces (4.0/5), at a median home price of $593.9k, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $34,000. It ranks 8th of 20 in Hayward for schools. The trade-offs are safety (1.9/5) and schools (2.7/5), though prices run about 37% below the Hayward median.

Neighborhood Reviews & Questions

Neighborhood Review
Key Words: Historic Core, Diverse Dining, BART Accessibility

Downtown Hayward serves as the city’s historic and cultural core, where civic buildings, local shops, and diverse dining options converge. You’ll find City Hall and the Hayward Public Library in close proximity to each other, hosting regular events and a weekly farmers’ market that brings neighbors together. Cinemark Century at Hayward provides an entertainment anchor, while a cluster of international restaurants along B Street and A Street reflect the city’s broad cultural mix. The nearby Japanese Gardens—technically just beyond the neighborhood boundary—add a tranquil escape for those seeking greenery close to the urban center. This area is highly walkable, with convenient access to the Hayward BART Station for commutes around the Bay Area. However, residents often note that street parking can be tight during peak hours, and traffic congestion on Foothill and Mission Boulevards can spill into downtown streets. Despite these challenges, Downtown Hayward remains a lively hub where community events, public resources, and local businesses foster a welcoming sense of place.

See City Review for: Hayward

Top Neighborhoods in Hayward, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Fairview, Hayward, CA
Overall Score : 3.8
Fairview is a semi-rural enclave perched in the hills east of Hayward, offering ... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Hayward Highland, Hayward, CA
Overall Score : 3.5
Hayward Highland offers a picturesque hillside setting where spacious, often cus... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Fairway Park, Hayward, CA
Overall Score : 3.5
Fairway Park is a largely residential enclave in Hayward with a classic suburban... See Full Page

Neighborhood Amenities

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Near good merchants

    5.0

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Public Spaces

    4

  • Neighborhood Amenities
    Curb Appeal

    3.5

Overall Amenities score: 4

Neighborhood Weather

79%
of possible sunshine
Of all the daylight this spot gets in a year, 79% arrives as sunshine - clouds and fog block the rest.
Downtown Hayward ranks 9th of 20 for sunshine in Hayward, and it out-suns nearly half of the Bay Area. Its warmest month is September, averaging 77° highs, and it gets about 19 inches of rain a year.
Average daily high and low temperature
80°65°50°35°JFMAMJJASONDSep 77°
Avg highAvg low
Rank in Hayward
9th of 20
Across the Bay Area
44th percentile
Rain per year
19 in
Warmest month
Sep 77° avg high
Summer day
56° → 75°F
Winter day
43° → 59°F
Sunshine and temperature figures are 30-year climate averages for this neighborhood's location.

Neighborhood Photos

Schools serving this Neighborhood

School NameTypeGradesHouseberry School Score
East Avenue Elementary PrimaryK-6
Strobridge Elementary PrimaryK-6
Bret Harte Middle Middle7-8
Hayward High High9-12

Click links for school listing

info at GreatSchools.org

Houseberry School Score Data

from CA Dept. of Education

Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.

Median Price

Downtown Hayward FAQs10 answers

Is Downtown Hayward a good place to live?

Downtown Hayward ranks 16th of 20 neighborhoods in Hayward with an overall Houseberry score of 2.7 out of 5. Its strongest factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and public spaces (4.0/5). The trade-offs are safety (1.9/5) and schools (2.7/5).

Is Downtown Hayward safe?

Downtown Hayward, Hayward scores 1.9 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 18th of 20 neighborhoods in Hayward.

What do homes in Downtown Hayward cost?

The median home price in Downtown Hayward, Hayward is $593.9k, compared with $935.43k for Hayward as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $34,000 against comparable neighborhoods.

Are home prices in Downtown Hayward rising or falling?

The median home price in Downtown Hayward, Hayward is down about 0.8% over the past 12 months, from $598.49k to $593.9k. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.

Which schools serve Downtown Hayward?

Schools serving Downtown Hayward, Hayward include East Avenue Elementary (2.3/5), Strobridge Elementary, Bret Harte Middle (2.6/5) and Hayward High (3.2/5).

What is the weather like in Downtown Hayward?

Downtown Hayward, Hayward receives 79% of its possible sunshine, 9th of 20 in Hayward. Summer days run 56° to 75°F and winter days 43° to 59°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 19 inches a year.

Is Downtown Hayward walkable to shops and restaurants?

Downtown Hayward, Hayward scores 5.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 4.0 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 4.0 out of 5, 1st of 20 in Hayward.

What is Downtown Hayward known for?

Downtown Hayward, Hayward is associated with Historic Core, Diverse Dining and BART Accessibility. Its highest-scoring factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and public spaces (4.0/5).

How does Downtown Hayward compare to other Hayward neighborhoods?

Downtown Hayward ranks 16th of 20 neighborhoods in Hayward. It ranks 8th of 20 in Hayward for schools (2.7/5) and scores lowest on safety (1.9/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Hayward are Fairview and Hayward Highland.

What are the downsides of living in Downtown Hayward?

Downtown Hayward, Hayward scores lowest on safety (1.9/5) and schools (2.7/5).

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Neighborhood Photos

Top Neighborhoods in Hayward, CA

1st
Neighborhood Iamge
Fairview, Hayward, CA
Overall Score : 3.8
Fairview is a semi-rural enclave perched in the hills east of Hayward, offering ... See Full Page
2nd
Neighborhood Iamge
Hayward Highland, Hayward, CA
Overall Score : 3.5
Hayward Highland offers a picturesque hillside setting where spacious, often cus... See Full Page
3rd
Neighborhood Iamge
Fairway Park, Hayward, CA
Overall Score : 3.5
Fairway Park is a largely residential enclave in Hayward with a classic suburban... See Full Page

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Contact Houseberry's 2026 Agent Pick for Downtown Hayward
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