Daly City CA vs Modesto 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%
Modesto, CA
California · Population: 218,614
- Median HH Income$77,899
- Median Home Price$447,353
- Unemployment7.3%
- Bachelor's+20.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Modesto
218,614
Modesto +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Modesto
35.4
Modesto +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Modesto
18.7%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Modesto
50.8%
Modesto +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Modesto
4.7%
Modesto +
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Modesto
7.4%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Modesto
43.9%
Modesto +
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Modesto
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 218,614 | Modesto + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 35.4 | Modesto + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 18.7% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 50.8% | Modesto + |
| Black | 3.0% | 4.7% | Modesto + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 7.4% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 43.9% | Modesto + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Modesto
$77,899
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Modesto
$34,656
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Modesto
$77,230
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Daly City +
Modesto
7.3%
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Modesto
13.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Daly City +
Modesto
20.3%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $77,899 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $34,656 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,230 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 7.3% | Daly City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 13.0% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 20.3% | Daly City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Modesto
$447,353
Modesto +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Daly City +
Modesto
58.4%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $447,353 | Modesto + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 58.4% | Daly City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Modesto
503
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Modesto
2388
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, 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 +
Modesto
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Daly City +
Modesto
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Modesto
19.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Modesto
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Modesto
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Modesto
13.7%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 36.2% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 12.1% | Daly City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 19.0% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 13.0% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.5% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.7% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Modesto
63.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Modesto
13.1 in
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Modesto
7.9 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Modesto
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, 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
Modesto
30.5 min
Modesto +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Modesto, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 30.5 min | Modesto + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while modesto offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $447,353. On public safety, Modesto 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 Modesto 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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