Cost of Living in San Mateo County, California
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
These figures are county medians, not a personal budget. Use them to frame rent, ownership, and income tradeoffs, then account for household size, commute, financing, insurance, taxes, debt, and local availability before making a decision.
How San Mateo County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
San Mateo County ranks #3,141 of 3,142 counties for affordability (bottom 1%)
Sourced county brief
San Mateo County Median Home Value Exceeds 1.5 Million Dollars
San Mateo County's median home value was estimated at $1,559,600, which is $955,488 above the California unweighted county mean of $604,112. The median gross rent in the county is $2,922 per month, exceeding the state unweighted county mean of $1,691. For renter households, the median income is $119,424. The official ACS B25071 gross rent as a percentage of household income (GRAPI) is 29.3%. This official GRAPI value is 2.4 percentage points below the state unweighted county mean of 31.7%. Owners in the county face median selected monthly owner costs of $3,355, compared to the state unweighted county mean of $1,881. All data is provided by the U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates for the period 2020-2024. See ACS table B25071 for the underlying estimate.
Source record
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25064 Median Gross Rent
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25071 GRAPI
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25077 Median Home Value
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25088 Selected Monthly Owner Costs
- U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates — B25119 Household Income by Tenure
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-brief-v1
Cost of Living Advisory: San Mateo County
Affordability Verdict
ACS B25071 estimates median gross rent at 29.3% of renter household income in San Mateo County, which is below the 30% affordability benchmark. This is a median percentage among renter-occupied units, not the share of households above a threshold.
Rent vs. Own
Median gross rent is $2,922 per month; median selected monthly owner costs are $3,355. These ACS medians describe different tenure groups and are not a personalized rent-versus-buy calculation.
Income Needed
Using the common 30% budgeting benchmark, $116,880 in annual gross income would allocate 30% to the county's median gross rent. This is a reproducible illustration, not evidence that a particular household can afford housing.
Regional Context
The California unweighted mean of county median rents is $1,691 per month. San Mateo County's $2,922 median is 72.8% above that comparison value.
Data version acs5-2020-2024 · Method cost-advisory-v2
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in San Mateo County
Rent Burden
22.1%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$3,707
per month
Owner Cost Burden
25.3%
of gross income
The median home in San Mateo County may be a stretch
Median home value is $1,559,600. Estimated monthly cost: $12,451 vs. your max of $3,707.
Rent Affordability Guide
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
$0/yr
Needed to stay within recommended threshold
Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in San Mateo County, California?
What is the median rent in San Mateo County?
Is San Mateo County affordable?
How does San Mateo County's rent compare to the state average?
What is the median home value in San Mateo County?
Counties with Similar Housing Costs
Planning a Move?
Researching the cost of living in San Mateo County, California? Compare moving quotes from top providers and save on your relocation.
Compare Moving QuotesCompare Mortgage Rates in San Mateo County
Whether you're buying in San Mateo County, California, or refinancing, compare rates from top lenders using the terms each lender provides.
See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2020-2024). Data is informational only and is not personalized financial advice.
CostByCounty participates in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you use our links, at no extra cost to you.