Moving from San Mateo, CA to Huntington Beach, CA
It is a 402 mi drive, roughly 7h 39m, between San Mateo, CA and Huntington Beach, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
402 mi Β· 7h 39m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Garden Grove |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Huntington Beach | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 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
Housing comes in 1.8% under San Mateo β $1,686,905 β $1,366,658 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Huntington Beach +2.8%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 79Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 11.2" |
Annual temperature rises 6.2Β°F moving to Huntington Beach per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SANTA ANA JOHN WAYNE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Huntington Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 196,010 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $119,885 |
| Median age | 38 | 43.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.53 |
Huntington Beach households earn about 1.8% less than San Mateo at the median β $152,669 β $119,885 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Huntington Beach MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Huntington Beach sees only 11.2 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 Huntington Beach compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,366,658 in Huntington Beach vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 19.0% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Huntington Beach, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 402 mi and the route typically takes 7h 39m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Huntington Beach more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Huntington Beach is 1.8% lower than San Mateo (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Huntington Beach?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $119,885 in Huntington Beach vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 21.5% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Huntington Beach?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 402 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 Huntington Beach compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Huntington Beach MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 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 Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Huntington Beach, CA.