Moving from San Jose, CA to San Mateo, CA
Relocating from San Jose, CA to San Mateo, CA? The drive is 35 mi β about 42 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.
35 mi Β· 42 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CR G21, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | Santa Clara, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Hayward, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Jose | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing comes in 4.7% above San Jose β $1,463,614 β $1,686,905 on the latest ZHVI.
YoY change: San Jose -2.5%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Jose | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 43Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 82Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 16.1" | 19.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Jose | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 990,054 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $141,565 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 38.1 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.2% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.03 | 2.6 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 4.7% higher in San Mateo than San Jose.
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 San Jose 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 35 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to San Jose?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $81,470 in the San Jose MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,141,820 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Is San Mateo more expensive than San Jose?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 4.7% higher than San Jose (115.613 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Mateo, CA from San Jose, CA?
The driving distance is 35 mi and the route typically takes 42 min via US 101 and CR G21. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in San Jose vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $141,565 in San Jose β a 7.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to San Jose?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $1,463,614 in San Jose β a 15.3% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Jose.
City profiles: San Jose, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.