City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

San Mateo, CA

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

103,555
Residents
$152,669
Median income
$1,563,200
Median home
$3,604
Median rent (state)

San Mateo - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, San Mateo lands in the 94th percentile for household income and the 29th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

94th
percentile, household income
99th
percentile, home value
99th
percentile, median rent
29th
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 Mateo, CA

103,555 people live in San Mateo, California - a mid-sized U.S. city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. San Mateo households earn a median of $152,669 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.6%. San Mateo's housing stock carries a median value of $1,563,200, and the median resident age is 38.0 years. Educational attainment runs 57.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 66.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 101 residential building permits were authorized in San Mateo (Construction Slowdown), down 70% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2126.5 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. 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. Workers in San Mateo report an average commute of 21.1 minutes, with 58.5% driving alone and 22.3% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 99.2 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

103,555 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$152,669 /yr

Poverty 4.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does San Mateo compare to other US cities?

Here's how San Mateo stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 94% higher than other cities
Home value 99% pricier than other cities
Median rent 99% pricier than other cities
Safety 29% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at California, San Mateo ranks #262 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

California-relative analysis

Median Home Value is San Mateo's strongest outlier among California cities

Among the 1,343 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, San Mateo ranks #99 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares San Mateo only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#170 of 1,338
87th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#50 of 1,458
91st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#99 of 1,343
93rd percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#884 of 1,450
38th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#199 of 1,458
86th 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.

94thIncome percentile
29thSafety percentile

94th percentile nationally for median household income · 29th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

San Mateo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

San Mateo'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 41 Avg. percentile National median
San Mateo'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 Mateo's home value compares nationally

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

$1,563,200 1st percentile more affordable than 1% 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 Mateo $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 Mateo, CA San Mateo, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not San Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA median $152,669/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 Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 57.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.6%

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

Population
103,555
Median Income
$152,669
Median Home Value
$1,563,200
Median Age
38.0
Poverty Rate
4.6%
Labor force participation
66.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
57.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2126.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
243.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1883.3
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
22
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
100,000 residents102,000 residents104,000 residents106,000 residents108,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 105,669 residents 103,337 residents ▼ -2.2%
San Mateo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
101
housing units authorized
Single-Family
89
detached homes
Multifamily
12
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 339
2020 41
2021 264
2022 60
2023 12
2024 101

Permit volume decreased 70% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.1 minutes
Drive Alone
58.5%
Carpool
6.9%
Public Transit
6.1%
Walk
2.9%
Work from Home
22.3%
Other
3.3%

Based on 55,754 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 Mateo 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

Rialto
103,866 people
Daly City
102,560 people
El Cajon
104,909 people
Vacaville
102,085 people
Chico
102,032 people
Burbank
105,165 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to San Mateo's 103,555 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Goodyear, AZ
102,891 people
South Bend, IN
102,866 people
Lee's Summit, MO
102,583 people
Edinburg, TX
102,561 people
Wichita Falls, TX
102,558 people
Brockton, MA
105,080 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to San Mateo's $152,669 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Williston Park, NY
$152,656 median income
Hartsdale, NY
$152,619 median income
Pungoteague, VA
$152,617 median income
Chester, NJ
$152,578 median income
Walton Park, NY
$152,578 median income
Aquia Harbour, VA
$152,776 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - San Mateo, 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 Mateo, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 41.2% 27.1% 13.9% 13.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 26.8% White 41.2% Black or African American 1.5% Asian 27.1% American Indian 1.3% Native Hawaiian 1.6% Some other race 13.9% Two or more races 13.3% 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 Mateo 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 Mateo (this city) 103,555 $152,669
Rialto 103,866 $85,521
Daly City 102,560 $119,570
El Cajon 104,909 $66,478
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about San Mateo, CA?

What is the population of San Mateo, CA? +

The population of San Mateo, CA stands at 103,555 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in San Mateo runs $152,669, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in San Mateo? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for San Mateo; 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 Mateo, CA safe? +

San Mateo has a total crime rate of 2126.5 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 Mateo, CA? +

Homes in San Mateo carry a median value of $1,563,200, 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

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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.