Is Top of the Hill, Daly City a Good Place to Live?
Additionally, A walkable Daly City neighborhood with excellent transit, diverse dining, and solid schools for families and commuters alike.
About Top of the Hill in Daly City
Top of the Hill ranks among Daly City's most accessible neighborhoods, combining a walk score of 91 with transit score of 82 for commuters and urban explorers. The median home value sits at $976,947, roughly 9 percent below the city average, making it an attractive entry point for families and first-time buyers in the Bay Area. Additionally, walkability here translates to everyday convenience: coffee at Top of the Hill Cafe or FrosTea, groceries at H Mart or Lucky, and parks like Edgewood Park within easy reach. The neighborhood draws working professionals, young families, and retirees seeking an urban feel without San Francisco's premium pricing.
Real Estate Market in Top of the Hill
| Median home price | $976.9k |
|---|---|
| Year over year change | +4.2% |
| Price per sq ft | $685 |
| Median rent | $2,543 |
| Typical days on market | 18 |
| Buyer competition | Moderate |
| Walk Score | 91 |
| Transit Score | 82 |
| Bike Score | 32 |
Additionally, top of the Hill commands a median home value of $976,947, approximately $97k below the Daly City median. The neighborhood maintains brisk market activity with a median rent of $2,543, reflecting strong demand from transit-dependent households and young professionals.
Homes in Top of the Hill move steadily but not frantically. Additionally, competitive offers and quick inspections matter, but the market rewards well-positioned buyer profiles. Expect modest contingencies and realistic timelines for appraisal and financing given the neighborhood's strong walkability appeal.
Who Thrives in Top of the Hill
Additionally, top of the Hill offers entry-level pricing relative to nearby San Francisco, walkable streets for car-free living, and stable property appreciation in a transit-connected neighborhood.
Schools like Ortega Elementary and Woodrow Wilson serve the neighborhood; parks including John Daly Tot Lot and Edgewood Park provide outdoor recreation, though the 17.9 percent child population reflects a more adult-leaning community overall.
Additionally, rental demand is steady at $2,543 median, owner occupancy sits at 66.1 percent, and the neighborhood's 4.2 percent year-over-year appreciation offers modest but stable returns.
Additionally, walk score of 91 and transit score of 82 mean errands don't require a car; the median household income of $138,560 signals a professional-caliber resident base well-suited to hybrid or home-based work.
Additionally, the median age of 42.6 years indicates an established community; walkable services, nearby healthcare facilities, and proximity to parks support active aging without sprawl dependence.
Property Types in Top of the Hill
Additionally, dominate Top of the Hill, many with modest yards and updated kitchens; strong appeal to families upgrading from rentals.
Low-maintenance options attract first-time buyers and remote workers; HOA fees typically $200 to $400 monthly.
Duplexes and small apartment buildings appeal to landlord investors leveraging consistent rental demand.
Living in Top of the Hill, Daly City
Daily life in Top of the Hill centers on walkable convenience and neighborly density. Morning coffee at Top of the Hill Cafe or FrosTea requires no car; lunch options span House of Fusion and Kings West Coast Pizzeria, while grocery runs to H Mart or Lucky feel spontaneous. Additionally, the neighborhood's 91 walk score means errands, transit, and social life cluster within a few blocks. Families frequent Edgewood Park and John Daly Tot Lot on weekends; the War Memorial Community Center and Lincoln Community Center anchor fitness and recreation for adults. The median household income of $138,560 reflects a solidly professional community, with 35.3 percent holding bachelor's degrees and 47.5 percent married, creating a stable, experience-sharing social fabric.
- House of Fusion · 1 min walk
- Gee Yin · 1 min walk
- Bart Grocery · 3 min walk
- Kings West Coast Pizzeria · 3 min walk
- Round Table Pizza · 4 min walk
- Top of the Hill Cafe · 1 min walk
- FrosTea · 5 min walk
- Hi-T Cafe and Deli · 10 min walk
- 7 Leaves · 12 min walk
- Westlake Coffee Shop · 13 min walk
- John Daly Tot Lot Playground · 4 min walk
- John Daly Tot Lot · 5 min walk
- Edgewood Park · 9 min walk
- Edgewood Playground · 9 min walk
- Marchbank Playground · 11 min walk
- Goldilocks · 4 min walk
- Paris Baguette · 12 min walk
- H Mart · 12 min walk
- Lucky · 14 min walk
- Red Ribbon · 15 min walk
- War Memorial Community Center · 6 min walk
- Lincoln Community Center · 14 min walk
- Albert M. Teglia Community Center · 19 min walk
- Fitness 19 · 32 min walk
- Holy Angels Hall · 32 min walk
- Daly City History Museum · 1 min walk
- Century 20 Daly City · 13 min walk
- Ingleside Gallery · 34 min walk
Annual events: Daly City History Museum events, seasonal farmers markets on Mission Street, community gatherings at War Memorial Community Center
Schools Near Top of the Hill, Daly City
Additionally, top of the Hill feeds into the Daly City Unified School District, serving families with accessible elementary options and established middle and high schools. Ortega Elementary (69.5 rating, K-5) ranks as the neighborhood's strongest public choice, providing solid academics and community engagement within walking distance.
Elementary Schools
School Score 69.5 with 67% math and 72% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 44.5 with 42% math and 47% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 42 with 42% math and 42% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 37 with 37% math and 37% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Middle Schools
School Score 38.5 with 31% math and 46% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026High Schools
School Score 38 with 24% math and 52% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 24.5 with 12% math and 37% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026School Score 10 with 10% math and 10% reading proficiency
Proximitii 2026Private Schools Nearby
- Our Lady Perpetual Help School (KG-8) — 2-minute walk
- Hilldale School (PK-8) — 14-minute walk
- St Thomas More Elementary School (PK-8) — 19-minute walk
- The Brandeis School Of San Francisco (KG-8) — 24-minute walk
- San Francisco Christian School (KG-12) — 21-minute walk
Feeder pattern: Elementary students typically feed to Thomas R. Pollicita Middle (38.5 rating, grades 6-8), then to Jefferson High (38 rating, 9-12) or Leadership High, though choice and magnet programs offer alternatives.
Source: Proximitii 2026
Commute from Top of the Hill
Additionally, top of the Hill's transit score of 82 reflects exceptional access to regional commute routes via BART and Muni bus lines along Mission Street and John Daly Boulevard. The neighborhood sits roughly midway between downtown Daly City and San Francisco, positioning commuters well for either direction.
Additionally, BART stations at Mission Street & Wellington Avenue and John Daly Boulevard & Mission Street serve the neighborhood directly; Muni bus routes provide frequent local circulation and downtown connectivity.
Neighborhoods Near Top of the Hill
Not sure Top of the Hill is the right fit? Compare these nearby neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions about Top of the Hill
What is the average home price in Top of the Hill, Daly City?
The median home value in Top of the Hill is $976,947, roughly $97,000 below the broader Daly City median of $1.073 million. Single-family homes typically range from $850,000 to $1.3 million, while condos and townhomes span $700,000 to $1.1 million. Year-over-year appreciation sits near 4.2 percent, reflecting steady demand driven by walkability and transit access.
Is Top of the Hill a good neighborhood for families?
Top of the Hill suits families well, offering walkable schools, parks like Edgewood Park and John Daly Tot Lot, and family-friendly services throughout the neighborhood. Ortega Elementary (69.5 rating) and Woodrow Wilson Elementary provide accessible public education, while the median household income of $138,560 signals a stable, professional community. The trade-off is that children comprise 17.9 percent of the population, making it less family-saturated than some suburban Bay Area neighborhoods.
What are the best schools near Top of the Hill?
Ortega Elementary (69.5 rating, K-5) is the neighborhood's highest-rated public school and sits within walking distance. Additionally, for middle school, Thomas R. Moreover, pollicita Middle (38.5 rating, 6-8) serves the feeder area. High school options include Jefferson High (38 rating, 9-12) and Leadership High. Private choices such as Our Lady Perpetual Help School (K-8) and St Thomas More Elementary School (PK-8) offer alternatives for families seeking faith-based education.
Is Top of the Hill a safe neighborhood?
Top of the Hill maintains a low poverty rate of 7.7 percent and a median age of 42.6 years, reflecting an established, stable community. Additionally, the neighborhood's walkability and higher-density residential character mean more eyes on streets and stronger community cohesion. Like all urban neighborhoods, routine precautions apply, but crime statistics rank favorably relative to Daly City and San Francisco as a whole.
Who should move to Top of the Hill?
Top of the Hill appeals to first-time homebuyers seeking affordability below San Francisco, remote workers and commuters leveraging a 91 walk score and 82 transit score, and retirees valuing walkable services without sprawl. Young professionals, empty nesters, and investors seeking rental demand also find strong fit. The neighborhood suits anyone prioritizing transit access and urban convenience over suburban space.
How walkable is Top of the Hill?
Top of the Hill ranks at walk score 91, meaning most errands require no car. Additionally, coffee shops like Top of the Hill Cafe and FrosTea, groceries at H Mart and Lucky, dining at House of Fusion and Kings West Coast Pizzeria, and parks all sit within walking distance. The neighborhood's transit score of 82 amplifies car-free living for commuters, though a bike score of 32 indicates hills limit cycling appeal.
Where this Top of the Hill data comes from
Numbers throughout this guide come from public, authoritative sources. Additionally, walk and transit scores come from Walk Score, neighborhood boundaries and POI data from OpenStreetMap and Proximitii, and parent-city demographics from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Find Your Home in Top of the Hill, Daly City
Additionally, connect with a local real estate expert who knows Top of the Hill's walkable streets, schools, and commute routes. Start your search today.
Search homes in Top of the Hill →