Daly City CA vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Meridian
37.4
Meridian +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Daly City +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Daly City +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 37.4 | Meridian + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 4.8% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 3.0% | 1.6% | Daly City + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 2.1% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 9.5% | Daly City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Meridian
$98,686
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Daly City +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $98,686 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $47,751 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $57,074 | Daly City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Meridian
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 28.8% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.5% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 8.2% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 17.6% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.3% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Daly City
31.9 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Daly City. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Daly City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.0%.
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