Moving from San Mateo, CA to San Francisco, CA
Moving from San Mateo, CA to San Francisco, 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 Mateo | San Francisco | 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 Francisco and San Mateo 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
Zillow typical home value is 0.0% lower in San Francisco than San Mateo as of 2026-03.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, San Francisco +5.0%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 46Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 62Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 20.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.7Β°F vs 56.2Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Francisco sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO OCEANSIDE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 836,321 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $141,446 |
| Median age | 38 | 39.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 35.1% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.31 |
Median household income in San Francisco is 0.0% below San Mateo ($152,669 β $141,446, ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Francisco 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 far is San Francisco, CA from San Mateo, 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.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs San Francisco?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,446 in San Francisco vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 7.4% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to San Francisco?
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 Francisco compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Francisco MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo 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 much do homes cost in San Francisco compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,356,662 in San Francisco vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 19.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· San Francisco, CA.