Moving from Richmond, CA to San Mateo, CA
It is a short 37 mi hop from Richmond, CA to San Mateo, CA β roughly 53 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
37 mi Β· 53 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 80, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Fairfield, Concord, Antioch, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Richmond | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
0.0% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Richmond -5.4%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Richmond | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 44Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 71Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 24.4" | 19.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: RICHMOND, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Richmond | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,396 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $90,038 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 20.2% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.85 | 2.6 |
San Mateo households earn about 0.0% more than Richmond at the median β $90,038 β $152,669 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
When is the best time to move from Richmond to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 37 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Richmond?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $72,050 in the Richmond MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Richmond, CA?
The driving distance is 37 mi and the route typically takes 53 min via US 101 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Richmond vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $90,038 in Richmond β a 69.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Richmond?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $606,427 in Richmond β a 178.2% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Richmond.
City profiles: Richmond, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.