Moving from San Mateo, CA to Glendale, CA
Relocating between San Mateo, CA and Glendale, CA is a 365 mi drive β 6h 55m 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.
365 mi Β· 6h 55m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Los Angeles, Torrance, Inglewood, Long Beach, Pomona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Glendale | 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 price level is comparable β 115.613 vs 113.566 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 1.8% lower home prices β ZHVI goes from $1,686,905 to $1,201,880 moving to Glendale.
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Glendale -0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 65Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 86Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 16.5" |
Expect 5.8Β°F warmer year-round on the NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Glendale 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, BURBANK VALLEY PUMP PLT, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Glendale |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 192,270 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $84,262 |
| Median age | 38 | 41.4 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 28.7% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.63 |
Expect median household income to fall 1.8% β $152,669 β $84,262 per ACS 5-year estimates (2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Glendale 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
- 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 Glendale compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,490 in the Glendale 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 does household income compare in San Mateo vs Glendale?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $84,262 in Glendale vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 44.8% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Glendale more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Glendale 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.
How far is Glendale, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 365 mi and the route typically takes 6h 55m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in Glendale compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,201,880 in Glendale vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 28.8% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Glendale?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 365 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 San Mateo.
City profiles: San Mateo, CA Β· Glendale, CA.