Daly City CA vs Lancaster CA — 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%
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Lancaster
13.9%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Lancaster
35.5%
Lancaster +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Lancaster
21.4%
Lancaster +
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Lancaster
4.0%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Lancaster
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 170,013 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 34.2 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 13.9% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 35.5% | Lancaster + |
| Black | 3.0% | 21.4% | Lancaster + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 4.0% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 45.9% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Lancaster
$76,083
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Lancaster
$29,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Lancaster
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Daly City +
Lancaster
7.1%
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Lancaster
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Daly City +
Lancaster
20.1%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $76,083 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $29,766 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.1% | Daly City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 15.5% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 20.1% | Daly City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Lancaster
$466,147
Lancaster +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Daly City +
Lancaster
58.4%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $466,147 | Lancaster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 58.4% | Daly City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Lancaster
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Lancaster
2388
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 503 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2388 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Lancaster
30.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Daly City +
Lancaster
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Lancaster
19.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Lancaster
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Lancaster
15.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Lancaster
14.0%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 30.6% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.6% | Daly City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.3% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 12.9% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 15.8% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.0% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Lancaster
62.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Lancaster
7.4 in
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Lancaster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Daly City
31.9 min
Daly City +
Lancaster
33.0 min
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Lancaster, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 33.0 min | Daly City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while lancaster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $466,147. On public safety, Lancaster is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Daly City. Daly City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Lancaster 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