Moving from San Mateo, CA to San Jose, CA
It is a short 35 mi hop from San Mateo, CA to San Jose, CA β roughly 42 min behind the wheel. Even at local distance, household costs and housing values can diverge more than the mileage suggests. Below you will find a direct comparison on BEA cost-of-living, Zillow home values, Census demographics, BLS wages, and NOAA climate.
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 Mateo | San Jose | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 115.613 | 110.423 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 172.585 | 156.659 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 108.465 | 105.168 | 100.0 |
| Services | 194.718 | 211.901 | 100.0 |
San Mateo and San Jose sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in San Jose run about 4.5% cheaper β ZHVI $1,686,905 β $1,463,614 (2026-03).
YoY change: San Mateo +0.6%, San Jose -2.5%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | San Mateo | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 59Β°F | 62Β°F |
| January avg low | 45Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 82Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 16.1" |
Climate is roughly comparable on the annual mean β 58.7Β°F vs 61.5Β°F per NOAA 1991β2020 normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: San Jose sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US, SAN JOSE, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | San Mateo | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,555 | 990,054 |
| Median household income | $152,669 | $141,565 |
| Median age | 38 | 38.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 26.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.6 | 3.03 |
Households in San Jose earn about 4.5% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Jose MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 161,790 | $175,110 |
| Management Occupations | 119,300 | $206,650 |
| Software Developers | 96,590 | $199,100 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 93,740 | $59,850 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 90,500 | $120,970 |
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 much do homes cost in San Jose compared to San Mateo?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,463,614 in San Jose vs $1,686,905 in San Mateo β a 13.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How far is San Jose, CA from San Mateo, 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.
When is the best time to move from San Mateo to San Jose?
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.
Is San Jose more expensive than San Mateo?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Jose is 4.5% lower than San Mateo (110.423 vs 115.613, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does the job market in San Jose compare to San Mateo?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $81,470 in the San Jose MSA vs $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA, on total employment of 1,141,820 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 San Jose?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $141,565 in San Jose vs $152,669 in San Mateo β a 7.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
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· San Jose, CA.