Moving from Pembroke Pines, FL to San Mateo, CA
Moving from Pembroke Pines, FL to San Mateo, CA is a 3016 mi cross-country relocation β about 54h 12m of driving through 8 states. At this range professional movers, a PODS or U-Pack container, or an auto-transport service are usually on the table. The sections below pull current BEA cost-of-living, Zillow ZHVI, Census ACS, BLS wages, and NOAA climate normals for a side-by-side view.
3016 mi Β· 54h 12m by car Β· FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA
Distance & route
| Route through | FL β AL β MS β LA β TX β NM β AZ β CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 40, I 20, US 287 |
| Major cities en route | Miami, Hialeah, Hollywood, Miramar, Miami Gardens |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Pembroke Pines | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 114.155 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 97.235 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 103.556 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 155.551 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
San Mateo and Pembroke Pines are close on the overall BEA RPP (114.155 vs 115.613); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: San Mateo typical home at $1,686,905 is 1.3% above Pembroke Pines at $487,422 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Pembroke Pines -4.3%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Pembroke Pines | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 77Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 59Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 92Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 62.0" | 19.6" |
NOAA normals show San Mateo running 18.6Β°F below Pembroke Pines on the annual mean.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: HOLLYWOOD NORTH PERRY AP, FL US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Pembroke Pines | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,557 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $81,675 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 43.7 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.9% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.67 | 2.6 |
Median household income in San Mateo is 1.3% above Pembroke Pines ($81,675 vs $152,669, ACS 5-year 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.
Moving between Florida and California
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check California's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
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
- Raton Pass (I-25 at the Colorado line) can close in winter storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- 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
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (18.6Β°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- 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.
- Register to vote in California after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Pembroke Pines?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $46,510 in the Pembroke Pines MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 2,721,490 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Pembroke Pines?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $487,422 in Pembroke Pines β a 246.1% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Pembroke Pines vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $81,675 in Pembroke Pines β a 86.9% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Pembroke Pines?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 1.3% higher than Pembroke Pines (115.613 vs 114.155, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Pembroke Pines, FL?
The driving distance is 3016 mi and the route typically takes 54h 12m via I 40 and I 20. The trip crosses 8 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
When is the best time to move from Pembroke Pines 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 3016 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Pembroke Pines.
City profiles: Pembroke Pines, FL Β· San Mateo, CA.