Moving from San Mateo, CA to Sacramento, CA
Moving from San Mateo, CA to Sacramento, CA covers 106 mi and about 2h 9m by car through 1 state(s). That is far enough that housing, cost-of-living, climate, and job market can all move meaningfully β the sections below pull current figures from BEA, Zillow, the Census Bureau, BLS, and NOAA to map exactly where the differences fall.
106 mi Β· 2h 9m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, US 101, I 80 BUS |
| Major cities en route | Roseville, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Vallejo, Concord |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| San Mateo | Sacramento | 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 |
Overall prices in Sacramento are 7.7% below San Mateo β a mid-sized gap that shows up mostly in rent and services.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Sacramento typical home at $479,766 is 7.7% under San Mateo at $1,686,905 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, Sacramento -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 63Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 41Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 94Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 19.2" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.7Β°F vs 63.4Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Sacramento sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SACRAMENTO 5 ESE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | Sacramento |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 524,802 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $83,753 |
| Median age | 38 | 35.7 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 22.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 2.63 |
Median household income in Sacramento is 7.7% below San Mateo ($152,669 vs $83,753, ACS 5-year 2023).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Sacramento 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 Sacramento average 94Β°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
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to Sacramento?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 106 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 Sacramento?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $83,753 in Sacramento vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 45.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is Sacramento, CA from San Mateo, CA?
The driving distance is 106 mi and the route typically takes 2h 9m via I 80 and US 101. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Sacramento compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $55,290 in the Sacramento 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.
Is Sacramento more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Sacramento 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.
How much do homes cost in Sacramento compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $479,766 in Sacramento vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 71.6% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
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· Sacramento, CA.