Moving from Santa Ana, CA to San Mateo, CA
It is a 402 mi drive, roughly 7h 36m, between Santa Ana, CA and San Mateo, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
402 mi Β· 7h 36m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 5, CA 152, US 101 |
| Major cities en route | Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Corona |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Ana | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 113.566 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 158.589 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 106.623 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 170.433 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
No material COL gap at the headline level β BEA RPP for both cities falls within 5% (2024).
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
1.8% jump on the typical home value β a meaningful shift in monthly mortgage math.
YoY change: Santa Ana -0.3%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Ana | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 66Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 49Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 83Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | β |
| Annual precipitation | 12.5" | 19.6" |
Annual temperature drops 7.4Β°F moving to San Mateo per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SANTA ANA FIRE STN, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Ana | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 311,639 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $88,354 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 34.3 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 12.8% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 3.91 | 2.6 |
San Mateo households earn about 1.8% more than Santa Ana at the median β $88,354 β $152,669 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in San Mateo MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 244,380 | $59,630 |
| Management Occupations | 237,070 | $171,350 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 211,250 | $104,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 194,040 | $39,200 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 183,930 | $49,390 |
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
Is San Mateo more expensive than Santa Ana?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 1.8% higher than Santa Ana (115.613 vs 113.566, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Santa Ana, CA?
The driving distance is 402 mi and the route typically takes 7h 36m via I 5 and CA 152. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Santa Ana vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $88,354 in Santa Ana β a 72.8% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Santa Ana to San Mateo?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 402 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Santa Ana?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $866,066 in Santa Ana β a 94.8% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Santa Ana?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $50,490 in the Santa Ana MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 6,185,570 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 Santa Ana.
City profiles: Santa Ana, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.