Moving from San Mateo, CA to Santa Clara, CA
The drive from San Mateo to Santa Clara covers 25 mi in about 32 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
25 mi Β· 32 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CR G4, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Hayward, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Santa Clara | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Santa Clara and San Mateo is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in Santa Clara is 4.5% above San Mateo ($1,782,192 vs $1,686,905 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Santa Clara -1.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 61Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 81Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 13.5" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Santa Clara (60.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 129,239 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $173,670 |
| Median age | 38 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.66 |
Income steps up 4.5%: $152,669 in San Mateo vs $173,670 in Santa Clara.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Santa Clara MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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: Santa Clara sees only 13.5 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 Santa Clara compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,782,192 in Santa Clara vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 5.6% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Santa Clara?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 13.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Santa Clara compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Santa Clara, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 32 min via US 101 and CR G4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Santa Clara more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Santa Clara is 4.5% lower than San Mateo (110.423 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Santa Clara?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 25 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
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· Santa Clara, CA.