Daly City CA vs Lake Charles LA — 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%
Lake Charles, LA
Louisiana · Population: 81,679
- Median HH Income$56,864
- Median Home Price$204,081
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Daly City +
Lake Charles
81,679
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Lake Charles
36.2
Lake Charles +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
4.7%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Lake Charles
47.3%
Lake Charles +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Lake Charles
42.8%
Lake Charles +
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
2.6%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 81,679 | Daly City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 36.2 | Lake Charles + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 4.7% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 47.3% | Lake Charles + |
| Black | 3.0% | 42.8% | Lake Charles + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 2.6% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 4.7% | Daly City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Lake Charles
$56,864
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Lake Charles
$35,847
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Daly City +
Lake Charles
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
29.4%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $56,864 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $35,847 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $55,297 | Daly City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.5% | Daly City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 23.2% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 29.4% | Daly City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Lake Charles
$204,081
Lake Charles +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Lake Charles
61.1%
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $204,081 | Lake Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 61.1% | Lake Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Daly City +
Lake Charles
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Daly City +
Lake Charles
2824
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 643 | Daly City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2824 | Daly City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
45.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
16.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Lake Charles
18.0%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 45.6% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 16.2% | Daly City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.7% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 9.6% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.6% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 18.0% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Lake Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Lake Charles
62.4 in
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Daly City +
Lake Charles
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Lake Charles
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Daly City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Daly City
31.9 min
Lake Charles
19.0 min
Lake Charles +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lake Charles, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 19.0 min | Lake Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while lake Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,081. On public safety, Daly City is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lake Charles. 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%.
Compare More Cities
Daly City, CA vs New York, NYDaly City, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Daly City, CADaly City, CA vs Houston, TXDaly City, CA vs Phoenix, AZDaly City, CA vs Philadelphia, PA