| Index | Daly City | California | National |
| Cost of living | 204 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 117 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 115 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 399 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 127 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 126 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 126 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 110 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 130 | 127 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in Daly City is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Daly City is 204, which is 104% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
If you're in pursuit of an economical living environment, Daly City may not fit the bill, as it ranks among the most expensive places to reside in the United States. Just a minority of regions exhibit a cost of living that is more than 20% higher than the national average, and, unfortunately, Daly City falls within this bracket.
Housing costs significantly influence the Daly City cost of living index, typically accounting for a substantial portion of one's post-tax income. Regrettably, within this particular region, expenses related to both residential ownership and renting exceeded those observed in an average city by 298.7%. This entails elements such as housing and rental prices, mortgage interest rates and insurance costs.
Everyday household expenses like cleaning products, laundry detergent, toiletries, and kitchen basics can quickly add up over time and make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Daly City, you can expect to spend 10.1% more than average on these recurring essentials, which increases your overall monthly cost of living.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, Daly City is no exception, where grocery prices are 17.2% above the national average.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 6 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Daly City. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 17% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 83% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Daly City affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Daly City, the median home price is 368.2% higher than the national average and monthly rent prices are 136.6% higher than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Daly City boasting a median household income of $147,995, 82% higher than the national average.
Housing: High demand for housing in desirable locations can drive up property prices and rental rates. This can be a primary contributor to a higher cost of living. While low demand for housing, especially in undesirable locations, can have the reverse effect and drive prices down, resulting in a lower cost of living. The housing index in Daly City, is 298.7% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery prices have seen substantial hikes in the last 2-3 years, with some markets witnessing food cost increases of over 20% during this period. Conversely, certain markets have experienced only moderate upticks. These variations in food expenses can have a substantial impact on the overall cost of living in any locality. In Daly City, the groceries index is 17.2% higher than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Daly City, the standard sales tax rate starts at 7.25%, and the income tax rates commence at 1%.
The cost of living data for Daly City shown above is based on a U.S. average baseline score of 100, making it easier to compare how far your dollar may go from one city to another. Housing uses U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all remaining values are AI-assisted estimates informed by regional pricing, climate, transportation dynamics, and local economic factors. These scores are best used for directional comparisons between cities.
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| Groceries index | |
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| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $176,441 | $14,703 | $4,117 | $5,294 |
| Renters | $113,346 | $9,446 | $2,645 | $3,401 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Strawberry CDP (Tuolumne County), CA | 119 | 115 | 15.1% |
| Emeryville, CA | 12,131 | 171 | 71.1% |
| Oakland, CA | 431,366 | 188 | 88.4% |
| Colma, CA | 1,528 | 202 | 102.4% |
| Marin City, CA | 3,138 | 199 | 98.5% |
| Daly City, CA | 111,327 | 204 | 104.4% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hillsboro, OR | 111,390 | 130 | 29.7% |
| Thunder Bay, ON | 111,499 | n/a | |
| San Buenaventura (Ventura), CA | 111,548 | 167 | 67.0% |
| Lewisville, TX | 111,065 | 108 | 8.0% |
| Sandy Springs, GA | 111,012 | 137 | 37.4% |
| Daly City, CA | 111,327 | 204 | 104.4% |
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