Moving from San Mateo, CA to Anaheim, CA
The 404 mi from San Mateo to Anaheim translate to about 7h 41m behind the wheel through 1 state(s). Mid-range moves tend to cross at least one meaningful boundary β MSA, climate zone, or tax jurisdiction. The sections below set the two cities side by side on housing, income, cost of living, climate, and jobs.
404 mi Β· 7h 41m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Riverside, Fontana, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Anaheim | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 113.566 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 158.589 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 106.623 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 170.433 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living in Anaheim and San Mateo 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 Anaheim is 1.8% below San Mateo β $1,686,905 vs $950,504 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Anaheim +0.2%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 68Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 49Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 87Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 13.5" |
Climate warms by 9.0Β°F on the annual average β 58.7Β°F β 67.7Β°F.
Anaheim gets essentially no annual snowfall on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals β winter gear can largely stay in storage.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, ANAHEIM, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 344,553 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $90,583 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.9 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 19.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.26 |
Income gap is large: median household income drops 1.8% between San Mateo and Anaheim (ACS 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Anaheim MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 746,160 | $48,810 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 570,740 | $35,580 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 516,960 | $40,560 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 494,430 | $39,510 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 461,490 | $33,530 |
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
- Dry climate: Anaheim sees only 13.5 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- 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 the job market in Anaheim compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Anaheim MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 6,185,570 and 2,422,210 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How much do homes cost in Anaheim compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $950,504 in Anaheim vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 43.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
Is Anaheim more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Anaheim is 1.8% lower than San Mateo (113.566 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Anaheim?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 404 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in San Mateo vs Anaheim?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $90,583 in Anaheim vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 40.7% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Anaheim, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 404 mi and the route typically takes 7h 41m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Anaheim, CA.