Alexandria VA vs Daly City CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Alexandria, VA
Virginia · Population: 156,788
- Median HH Income$113,638
- Median Home Price$679,447
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+65.8%
Daly City, CA
California · Population: 102,560
- Median HH Income$119,570
- Median Home Price$1,134,511
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Alexandria
156,788
Alexandria +
Daly City
102,560
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Alexandria
N/A
Daly City
N/A
Median Age
Alexandria
37.5
Alexandria +
Daly City
41.7
Foreign Born
Alexandria
24.6%
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
White
Alexandria
53.6%
Alexandria +
Daly City
16.4%
Black
Alexandria
21.1%
Alexandria +
Daly City
3.0%
Asian
Alexandria
6.3%
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Hispanic
Alexandria
18.2%
Daly City
21.4%
Daly City +
Spanish at Home
Alexandria
N/A
Daly City
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 156,788 | 102,560 | Alexandria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 41.7 | Alexandria + |
| Foreign Born | 24.6% | 50.9% | Daly City + |
| White | 53.6% | 16.4% | Alexandria + |
| Black | 21.1% | 3.0% | Alexandria + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 58.8% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 18.2% | 21.4% | Daly City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Alexandria
$113,638
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Per Capita Income
Alexandria
$77,935
Alexandria +
Daly City
$48,219
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Alexandria
$69,581
Daly City
$77,230
Daly City +
Unemployment Rate
Alexandria
3.4%
Alexandria +
Daly City
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Alexandria
8.4%
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Alexandria
65.8%
Alexandria +
Daly City
38.0%
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $113,638 | $119,570 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $77,935 | $48,219 | Alexandria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $77,230 | Daly City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poverty Rate | 8.4% | 7.2% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 65.8% | 38.0% | Alexandria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Alexandria
$679,447
Alexandria +
Daly City
$1,134,511
Homeownership Rate
Alexandria
42.0%
Daly City
60.5%
Daly City +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $679,447 | $1,134,511 | Alexandria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 60.5% | Daly City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
240
Alexandria +
Daly City
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Alexandria
1726
Alexandria +
Daly City
2388
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 503 | Alexandria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 2388 | Alexandria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
31.7%
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.2%
Alexandria +
Daly City
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Alexandria
15.0%
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
8.6%
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
16.5%
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Alexandria
9.1%
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 20.0% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 12.0% | Alexandria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.0% | 13.3% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 7.9% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.5% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Daly City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Alexandria
N/A
Daly City
N/A
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Alexandria
8.2 µg/m³
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Daly City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Alexandria
75.0%
Daly City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Daly City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Alexandria
31.8 min
Alexandria +
Daly City
31.9 min
| Metric | Alexandria, VA | Daly City, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.8 min | 31.9 min | Alexandria + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while alexandria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $679,447. On public safety, Alexandria is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Daly City. Alexandria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Daly City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Daly City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.0%.
Compare More Cities
Alexandria, VA vs New York, NYAlexandria, VA vs Los Angeles, CAAlexandria, VA vs Chicago, ILAlexandria, VA vs Houston, TXAlexandria, VA vs Phoenix, AZAlexandria, VA vs Philadelphia, PA