Moving from Oakland, CA to San Mateo, CA
Relocating from Oakland, CA to San Mateo, CA? The drive is 26 mi β about 34 min. Local does not always mean identical: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and NOAA climate can all shift a few percent across short distances. The sections below compare each data layer directly.
26 mi Β· 34 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 92, I 880 |
| Major cities en route | Vallejo, Berkeley, Richmond, Concord, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oakland | 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 price level is comparable β 115.613 vs 115.613 on the 2024 BEA RPP. Category-level gaps (rents, services) may still be meaningful.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 0.0% higher home prices β ZHVI goes from $716,248 to $1,686,905 moving to San Mateo.
YoY change: Oakland -8.5%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oakland | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 72Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 22.6" | 19.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Oakland (59.6Β°F) and San Mateo (58.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OAKLAND MUSEUM, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oakland | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 438,072 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $97,369 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 37.6 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.5% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.53 | 2.6 |
Expect median household income to rise 0.0% β $97,369 β $152,669 per ACS 5-year estimates (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 Oakland 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 26 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Oakland, CA?
The driving distance is 26 mi and the route typically takes 34 min via CA 92 and I 880. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Oakland?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $716,248 in Oakland β a 135.5% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Oakland?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $72,050 in the Oakland 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.
How does household income compare in Oakland vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $97,369 in Oakland β a 56.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oakland.
City profiles: Oakland, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.