| Index | San Mateo | California | National |
| Cost of living | 249 | 141 | 100 |
| Groceries | 117 | 111 | 100 |
| Health care | 118 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 546 | 197 | 100 |
| Transportation | 122 | 118 | 100 |
| Utilities | 120 | 119 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 130 | 120 | 100 |
| Household Items | 109 | 111 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 137 | 127 | 100 |
Getting a feel for the cost of living in San Mateo is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in San Mateo is 249, which is 149% higher than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.
The cost of living in San Mateo is among the highest in the country, making it a very expensive place to live. Only a small fraction of regions boast a cost of living that is at least 20% higher than the national average, and regrettably, San Mateo falls into this category, which may not be suitable for those seeking an economically favorable living environment.
Housing costs are a major factor in the San Mateo cost of living index, and they often eat up a big chunk of your take-home pay. Unfortunately, in this area, housing expenses for both homeownership and rentals were 446.4% higher than what's typical in an average city. That includes the prices of homes and rents, as well as mortgage rates and insurance.
The relentless increase in grocery prices is a noteworthy trend. In the last two years, grocery costs have experienced an upward trajectory of over 10%. Unfortunately, San Mateo is no exception, where grocery prices are 17% above the national average.
Nobody knows their city better than the people who actually live there. So, we asked 13 local residents how they would rate the cost of living in San Mateo and this is how they responded. 23% of people said that the cost of living was affordable, with prices decreasing, while 77% of people said that the cost of living was very expensive and prices continue to rise.
Wondering if San Mateo is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In San Mateo, for example, the median home price is 561.1% higher than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 178.7% higher than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with San Mateo boasting a median household income of $191,517, which is 135.5% higher than the national average.
Transportation: In areas where public transportation is scarce or unavailable, residents often find themselves compelled to own and upkeep vehicles, thereby increasing the overall cost of living. Monthly expenses encompass fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potentially lease or financing payments. In San Mateo, the transportation index is 22.4% higher than the national average.
Subsidies: Some areas might offer government subsidies or assistance programs that help lower cost of living for residents. These programs can include anything from Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and crop subsidies. Areas that offer less subsidies, could see an increase in their cost of living.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In San Mateo, the groceries index is 17% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for San Mateo are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $217,680 | $18,140 | $5,079 | $6,531 |
| Renters | $154,385 | $12,865 | $3,602 | $4,632 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| California | 7.25% | 10.5% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| California | 1% | 13.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Mountain View CDP, CA | 2,675 | 134 | 33.5% |
| Cherryland, CA | 16,430 | 160 | 60.4% |
| Ashland, CA | 24,254 | 162 | 62.0% |
| Hayward, CA | 163,491 | 173 | 72.6% |
| San Lorenzo, CA | 31,094 | 169 | 69.4% |
| San Mateo, CA | 106,097 | 249 | 148.8% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Las Cruces, NM | 106,024 | 95 | 5.4% |
| Strathcona County, AB | 106,316 | n/a | |
| Rialto, CA | 106,524 | 133 | 32.5% |
| Burbank, CA | 106,568 | 191 | 90.5% |
| El Cajon, CA | 105,484 | 150 | 50.0% |
| San Mateo, CA | 106,097 | 249 | 148.8% |
Here are the best places to live in California
Most Dangerous States In The US
Most Dangerous Cities In The US
These are the 10 cheapest cities in California