Moving from Vallejo, CA to San Mateo, CA
The drive from Vallejo to San Mateo covers 49 mi in about 1h 6m. 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.
49 mi Β· 1h 6m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 101, CA 29 |
| Major cities en route | Fairfield, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Berkeley |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Vallejo | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 108.479 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 154.993 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 142.042 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Moderate COL step-up: 6.6% pricier overall in San Mateo than Vallejo on the 2024 BEA RPP.
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 6.6% above Vallejo at $520,970 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Vallejo -5.4%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Vallejo | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 85Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 21.5" | 19.6" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 61.6Β°F vs 58.7Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: VALLEJO, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Vallejo | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 124,637 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $89,496 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 40 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 19.7% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.84 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 6.6% between Vallejo and San Mateo (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 Vallejo 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 49 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Vallejo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 6.6% higher than Vallejo (115.613 vs 108.479, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Vallejo vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $89,496 in Vallejo β a 70.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Vallejo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $520,970 in Vallejo β a 223.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Vallejo, CA?
The driving distance is 49 mi and the route typically takes 1h 6m via I 80 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Vallejo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $53,520 in the Vallejo MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 137,640 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 Vallejo.
City profiles: Vallejo, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.