Daly City CA vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Daly City
102,560
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Daly City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Daly City
41.7
Phoenix
34.8
Phoenix +
Foreign Born
Daly City
50.9%
Daly City +
Phoenix
19.0%
White
Daly City
16.4%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Daly City
3.0%
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Asian
Daly City
58.8%
Daly City +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Daly City
21.4%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Daly City
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 102,560 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.7 | 34.8 | Phoenix + |
| Foreign Born | 50.9% | 19.0% | Daly City + |
| White | 16.4% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 3.0% | 7.8% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 58.8% | 3.9% | Daly City + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Daly City
$119,570
Daly City +
Phoenix
$77,041
Per Capita Income
Daly City
$48,219
Daly City +
Phoenix
$40,309
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Daly City
$77,230
Daly City +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Daly City
5.0%
Daly City +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Daly City
7.2%
Daly City +
Phoenix
14.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Daly City
38.0%
Daly City +
Phoenix
32.3%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $119,570 | $77,041 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,219 | $40,309 | Daly City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $59,120 | Daly City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 5.1% | Daly City + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.2% | 14.3% | Daly City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.0% | 32.3% | Daly City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Daly City
$1,134,511
Phoenix
$411,323
Phoenix +
Homeownership Rate
Daly City
60.5%
Daly City +
Phoenix
57.1%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,134,511 | $411,323 | Phoenix + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.5% | 57.1% | Daly City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
503
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Daly City
2388
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 450 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 2150 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
20.0%
Daly City +
Phoenix
32.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.0%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Daly City
13.3%
Daly City +
Phoenix
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Daly City
7.9%
Daly City +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Daly City
12.5%
Daly City +
Phoenix
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Daly City
8.7%
Daly City +
Phoenix
12.2%
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 32.3% | Daly City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 13.3% | 16.2% | Daly City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 17.3% | Daly City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.5% | 16.3% | Daly City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.2% | Daly City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Daly City
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Daly City
7.9 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Daly City
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Daly City
31.9 min
Phoenix
27.7 min
Phoenix +
| Metric | Daly City, CA | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.9 min | 27.7 min | Phoenix + |
Which City is Right for You?
Daly City leads in median household income at $119,570, while phoenix offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $411,323. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Daly City. Daly City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Phoenix 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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