Moving from Berkeley, CA to San Mateo, CA
The drive from Berkeley to San Mateo covers 30 mi in about 42 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.
30 mi Β· 42 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, I 80, I 580 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Concord, Antioch, Richmond, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Berkeley | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in San Mateo and Berkeley 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 San Mateo is 0.0% above Berkeley ($1,686,905 vs $1,443,684 on Zillow ZHVI, 2026-03).
YoY change: Berkeley -1.2%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Berkeley | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 74Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 26.1" | 19.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Berkeley (58.5Β°F) and San Mateo (58.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: BERKELEY, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Berkeley | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $108,558 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 32.9 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 33.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.57 | 2.6 |
Income gap is large: median household income climbs 0.0% between Berkeley 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
How does household income compare in Berkeley vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $108,558 in Berkeley β a 40.6% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Berkeley, CA?
The driving distance is 30 mi and the route typically takes 42 min via US 101 and I 80. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Berkeley 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 30 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Berkeley?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $1,443,684 in Berkeley β a 16.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Berkeley?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $72,050 in the Berkeley MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,422,210 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 Berkeley.
City profiles: Berkeley, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.