Moving from Santa Clara, CA to San Mateo, CA
The drive from Santa Clara to San Mateo covers 25 mi in about 32 min. Local moves still matter β school districts, tax jurisdictions, and housing micromarkets can all flip across short distances. This page pulls the latest federal and Zillow figures into a single side-by-side comparison to make those differences visible.
25 mi Β· 32 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CR G4, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Fremont, Sunnyvale, Hayward, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Santa Clara | San Mateo | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.423 | 115.613 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 156.659 | 172.585 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 108.465 | 100.0 |
| Services | 211.901 | 194.718 | 100.0 |
Cost-of-living overlap: BEA RPP for Santa Clara (110.423) and San Mateo (115.613) are within a few points of each other.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Moderate housing drop: San Mateo ZHVI at $1,686,905 is 4.7% below Santa Clara at $1,782,192.
YoY change: Santa Clara -1.1%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Santa Clara | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 81Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 19.6" |
No material annual-average temperature gap; seasonal extremes may still differ.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: SAN JOSE, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Santa Clara | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 129,239 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $173,670 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 34.5 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 31.4% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.66 | 2.6 |
Income steps down 4.7%: $173,670 in Santa Clara vs $152,669 in San Mateo.
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 Clara?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 4.7% higher than Santa Clara (115.613 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Santa Clara 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 25 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 Clara?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $1,782,192 in Santa Clara β a 5.3% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does household income compare in Santa Clara vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $173,670 in Santa Clara β a 12.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Santa Clara, CA?
The driving distance is 25 mi and the route typically takes 32 min via US 101 and CR G4. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Santa Clara?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $81,470 in the Santa Clara MSA, on total employment of 2,422,210 and 1,141,820 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 Clara.
City profiles: Santa Clara, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.