Moving from San Francisco, CA to San Mateo, CA
Moving from San Francisco, CA to San Mateo, CA covers 76 mi and about 2h 8m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
76 mi Β· 2h 8m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 1, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Rosa, Richmond, Vallejo, Berkeley, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Francisco | 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 |
San Mateo and San Francisco are close on the overall BEA RPP (115.613 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Mateo typical home at $1,686,905 is 0.0% above San Francisco at $1,356,662 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Francisco +5.0%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Francisco | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 56Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 62Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 20.6" | 19.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 56.2Β°F vs 58.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Francisco | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 39.7 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 35.1% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.31 | 2.6 |
Median household income in San Mateo is 0.0% above San Francisco ($141,446 β $152,669, 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
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to San Francisco?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $1,356,662 in San Francisco β a 24.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Francisco vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $141,446 in San Francisco β a 7.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Mateo, CA from San Francisco, CA?
The driving distance is 76 mi and the route typically takes 2h 8m via CA 1 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from San Francisco 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 76 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 San Francisco?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $72,050 in the San Francisco 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.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Francisco.
City profiles: San Francisco, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.