Daly City CA vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Daly City, CA
California · Population: 102,560
- Median HH Income$119,570
- Median Home Price$1,134,511
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.0%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Elizabeth
135,887
Elizabeth +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
50.6%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Elizabeth
24.8%
Elizabeth +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Elizabeth
17.1%
Elizabeth +
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 135,887 | Elizabeth + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 50.6% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 24.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Black | 3.0% | 17.1% | Elizabeth + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 1.8% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $63,874 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $28,490 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.9% | Daly City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 15.3% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 14.2% | Daly City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $531,592 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 25.4% | Daly City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
14.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 34.8% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.7% | Daly City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 17.8% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 28.1% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 14.9% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.0% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | 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.)
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Daly City +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Daly City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Daly City
31.9 min
Elizabeth
29.3 min
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 29.3 min | Elizabeth + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Daly City. Daly City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, 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%.
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