Daly City's housing is dominated by the dense, terraced single-family homes and row houses built during its postwar boom, most famously the thousands of "Doelger homes" that Henry Doelger constructed in the Westlake district beginning in the late 1940s. These mid-century houses, often set on the city's hillsides, give Daly City its signature look. Alongside them are apartment buildings, condominiums, and newer infill development, particularly near the BART stations and commercial corridors. The stock offers a range of options for buyers seeking proximity to San Francisco.

Daly City's neighborhoods are shaped by its hills and its postwar development. Westlake, built by Henry Doelger, is a defining district of mid-century homes and the Westlake Shopping Center. Serramonte anchors the city's southern commercial core, while Bayshore, near the Cow Palace, and St. Francis Heights reflect the city's varied terrain and eras of growth. The adjacent unincorporated community of Broadmoor and the nearby city of Colma share the area's dense, foggy, hillside character, together forming the built-up northern edge of San Mateo County.

Daly City's lifestyle blends a dense, close-in suburban setting with a distinctive cultural character. The city's large Filipino-American community has shaped its restaurants, businesses, and civic life, giving it a strong sense of identity within the Bay Area. The ocean fog and terraced hillsides define the physical environment, while BART stations keep San Francisco minutes away. Residents enjoy the convenience of major shopping at Westlake and Serramonte, the events at the Cow Palace, and easy access to both the coast and the city, making Daly City a practical, vibrant home for commuters and families.

Daly City is served by the Jefferson Elementary School District for elementary and middle grades, and by the Jefferson Union High School District for secondary education. Jefferson High School, the first school in the district, is located in the city, and the high school district also serves Brisbane, Pacifica, Colma, Broadmoor, and part of San Bruno. Families have access to a range of public, private, and parochial options, with higher education available nearby at San Francisco State University, Skyline College, and other Bay Area institutions.

Daly City is a major transit hub for northern San Mateo County. BART stations at Daly City and nearby Colma provide direct rail service to San Francisco, Oakland, and the wider Bay Area, with the Daly City station having opened in 1973. Interstate 280 and Skyline Boulevard run through the city, and U.S. Route 101 lies just to the east, providing freeway access to San Francisco and the Peninsula. San Francisco International Airport is a short drive to the south, making Daly City among the region's best-connected suburban cities.

Daly City's recreation is anchored by the Cow Palace, a long-running arena and event venue that hosts concerts, rodeos, and large gatherings. The city's parks and the hiking trails of the San Bruno hills and San Bruno Mountain State Park offer open space and views over the Bay Area. Nearby Thornton State Beach and the Pacifica coast provide ocean access, while the Serramonte and Westlake shopping centers serve as everyday gathering places. The city's BART access also makes San Francisco's cultural and recreational amenities a short ride away.