Daly City CA vs Mesa AZ — 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%
Mesa, AZ
Arizona · Population: 507,478
- Median HH Income$78,779
- Median Home Price$435,670
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Mesa
507,478
Mesa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Mesa
37.2
Mesa +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Mesa
11.2%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Mesa
69.7%
Mesa +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Mesa
4.4%
Mesa +
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Mesa
2.5%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Mesa
26.6%
Mesa +
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Mesa
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 507,478 | Mesa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 37.2 | Mesa + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 11.2% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 69.7% | Mesa + |
| Black | 3.0% | 4.4% | Mesa + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 2.5% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 26.6% | Mesa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Mesa
$78,779
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Mesa
$39,586
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Daly City +
Mesa
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Mesa
4.6%
Mesa +
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Mesa
10.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Daly City +
Mesa
31.5%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $78,779 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $39,586 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Daly City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.6% | Mesa + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 10.5% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 31.5% | Daly City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Mesa
$435,670
Mesa +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Mesa
64.3%
Mesa +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $435,670 | Mesa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 64.3% | Mesa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Mesa
450
Mesa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Mesa
2150
Mesa +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Mesa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Mesa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Mesa
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Mesa
10.6%
Mesa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Mesa
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Mesa
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Mesa
16.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Mesa
11.4%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 30.7% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.6% | Mesa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 15.5% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.0% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.1% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.4% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Mesa
71.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Mesa
11.7 in
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 11.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Mesa
7.1 µg/m³
Mesa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Mesa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Mesa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Daly City
31.9 min
Mesa
26.7 min
Mesa +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Mesa, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 26.7 min | Mesa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while mesa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,670. On public safety, Mesa is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Daly City. Mesa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Mesa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Daly City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 20.0%.
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