Moving from San Mateo, CA to Elk Grove, CA
Relocating between San Mateo, CA and Elk Grove, CA is a 111 mi drive β 2h 14m on open road, longer with stops. A move of this length usually shifts more than the commute: BEA RPP, Zillow ZHVI, and Census household stats can all diverge. This comparison assembles them from the current federal releases.
111 mi Β· 2h 14m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 99, I 580, CA 4 |
| Major cities en route | Sacramento, Roseville, Stockton, Modesto, Antioch |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Elk Grove | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 106.67 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 151.29 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 130.23 | 100.0 |
Expect about 7.7% lower overall cost of living β BEA RPP 2024 has Elk Grove at 106.67 vs San Mateo at 115.613.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Expect roughly 7.7% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $637,450 moving to Elk Grove.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Elk Grove -3.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 39Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 93Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 18.1" |
Annual average temperatures in San Mateo (58.7Β°F) and Elk Grove (61.8Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO EXECUTIVE AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Elk Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 177,221 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $122,229 |
| Median age | 38 | 39 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 25.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.24 |
ACS 2023 shows median household income 7.7% lower in Elk Grove than San Mateo.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elk Grove MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 127,580 | $49,240 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 92,040 | $35,560 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 79,450 | $43,790 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 78,260 | $38,490 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 71,860 | $81,700 |
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
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Elk Grove average 93Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- 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 much do homes cost in Elk Grove compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $637,450 in Elk Grove vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 62.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is Elk Grove, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 111 mi and the route typically takes 2h 14m via CA 99 and I 580. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Elk Grove more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elk Grove is 7.7% lower than San Mateo (106.67 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 Elk Grove?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 111 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 Elk Grove?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $122,229 in Elk Grove vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 19.9% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How does the job market in Elk Grove compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Elk Grove MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,048,170 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Elk Grove, CA.