Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to San Mateo, CA
Moving from Sunnyvale, CA to San Mateo, CA is a 21 mi drive, about 27 min by car. This is a local relocation β same-day moves are typical β but cost-of-living, housing, and tax lines still shift enough to plan around. The sections below pull current figures from BEA, the Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and NOAA for a side-by-side look.
21 mi Β· 27 min by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | US 101, CA 92 |
| Major cities en route | San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, Hayward, Oakland |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sunnyvale | 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 |
Overall cost of living in San Mateo and Sunnyvale is within Β±5% on the BEA Regional Price Parity (2024) β plan your budget on category-level differences instead.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Typical home value in San Mateo is 4.7% below Sunnyvale β $2,168,909 vs $1,686,905 per Zillow ZHVI (2026-03).
YoY change: Sunnyvale -0.1%, San Mateo +0.6%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sunnyvale | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 60Β°F | 59Β°F |
| January avg low | 42Β°F | 45Β°F |
| July avg high | 77Β°F | 73Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 13.5" | 19.6" |
Annual average temperatures in Sunnyvale (59.9Β°F) and San Mateo (58.7Β°F) stay within 5Β°F of each other (NOAA normals).
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: MOFFETT FEDERAL AIRFIELD, CA US, SAN FRANCISCO INTL AP, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sunnyvale | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 153,455 | 103,555 |
| Median household income | $181,862 | $152,669 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 38 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30.3% | 31.4% |
| Avg household size | 2.61 | 2.6 |
Median household income in San Mateo is 4.7% below Sunnyvale ($181,862 β $152,669, 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
How does the job market in San Mateo compare to Sunnyvale?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $72,050 in the San Mateo MSA vs $81,470 in the Sunnyvale 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.
How far is San Mateo, CA from Sunnyvale, CA?
The driving distance is 21 mi and the route typically takes 27 min via US 101 and CA 92. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How much do homes cost in San Mateo compared to Sunnyvale?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $1,686,905 in San Mateo vs $2,168,909 in Sunnyvale β a 22.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Sunnyvale 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 21 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is San Mateo more expensive than Sunnyvale?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in San Mateo is 4.7% higher than Sunnyvale (115.613 vs 110.423, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How does household income compare in Sunnyvale vs San Mateo?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $152,669 in San Mateo vs $181,862 in Sunnyvale β a 16.1% 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 Sunnyvale.
City profiles: Sunnyvale, CA Β· San Mateo, CA.