City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

San Bruno, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for San Bruno - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

42,612
Residents
$135,976
Median income
$1,199,400
Median home
$3,604
Median rent (state)

San Bruno - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, San Bruno places in the 92nd percentile for household income and the 27th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

92nd
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
99th
percentile, median rent
27th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: San Bruno, CA

42,612 people live in San Bruno, California - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. San Bruno households earn a median of $135,976 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.5%. San Bruno's housing stock carries a median value of $1,199,400, and the median resident age is 39.8 years. About 43.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 96 residential building permits were authorized in San Bruno (Building Boom), up 191% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 2221.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $3,604 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 20.9 minutes, with 61.0% driving alone and 16.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

42,612 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$135,976 /yr

Poverty 2.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does San Bruno compare to other US cities?

San Bruno measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 92% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 99% pricier than other cities
Safety 27% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to California alone, San Bruno ranks #282 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares San Bruno against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is San Bruno's strongest outlier among California cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, San Bruno ranks #50 - the 91st percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares San Bruno only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#229 of 1,338
83rd percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#50 of 1,458
91st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#155 of 1,343
88th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#1,072 of 1,450
25th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#356 of 1,458
76th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

92ndIncome percentile
27thSafety percentile

92nd percentile nationally for median household income · 27th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

San Bruno's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

San Bruno's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 40 Avg. percentile National median
San Bruno's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How San Bruno's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$1,199,400 2nd percentile more affordable than 2% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. San Bruno $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - San Bruno, CA San Bruno, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not San Bruno, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution San Bruno, CA median $135,976/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
San Bruno, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for San Bruno, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 43.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.8%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
42,612
Median Income
$135,976
Median Home Value
$1,199,400
Median Age
39.8
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Labor force participation
64.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
43.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2221.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
256.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1965.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
41,000 residents42,000 residents43,000 residents44,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 43,755 residents 42,305 residents ▼ -3.3%
San Bruno's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
96
housing units authorized
Single-Family
46
detached homes
Multifamily
50
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.3
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 33
2020 17
2021 11
2022 28
2023 168
2024 96

Permit volume increased 191% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.9 minutes
Drive Alone
61.0%
Carpool
9.6%
Public Transit
6.6%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
16.8%
Other
3.1%

Based on 22,633 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county San Bruno sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,604/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Coachella
42,594 people
Vineyard
42,645 people
French Valley
42,550 people
Campbell
42,848 people
Hollister
43,003 people
Altadena
41,921 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to San Bruno's 42,612 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Puyallup, WA
42,642 people
Lake Worth Beach, FL
42,650 people
Jefferson City, MO
42,565 people
Manassas, VA
42,674 people
Catonsville, MD
42,717 people
University CDP (Orange County), FL
42,481 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to San Bruno's $135,976 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Big Bend, WI
$136,042 median income
Linwood, NJ
$135,904 median income
Angostura, SD
$135,893 median income
Cape St. Claire, MD
$136,064 median income
Chesapeake Beach, MD
$135,888 median income
Rutherford, NJ
$136,069 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - San Bruno, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition San Bruno, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 34.8% 32.1% 15.3% 13.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.9% White 34.8% Black or African American 1.3% Asian 32.1% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 2.6% Some other race 15.3% Two or more races 13.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How San Bruno compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
San Bruno (this city) 42,612 $135,976
Coachella 42,594 $67,558
Vineyard 42,645 $108,403
French Valley 42,550 $132,605
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about San Bruno, CA?

What is the population of San Bruno, CA? +

The population of San Bruno, CA stands at 42,612 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in San Bruno, CA? +

The median household income in San Bruno is $135,976 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in San Bruno? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for San Bruno; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is San Bruno, CA safe? +

San Bruno has a total crime rate of 2221.8 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in San Bruno, CA? +

Homes in San Bruno carry a median value of $1,199,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

Verify with HUD →

Verify with FBI →

Verify with NOAA →

Verify with U.S. Census Bureau →

Verify with EPA →

Verify with FEMA →

Verify with BEA →

Verify with EIA →

Verify with NCES →

Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.