San Mateo
California

What stands out

What stands out about San Mateo County: the median household income is among the highest in America ($149,907), the median home price is among the priciest in America ($1.6M), and the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($3,110 a month). Within California it ranks 2nd of 58 counties for the median household income.

Where you are

You live in San Mateo County, California. 754,250 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.3% last year.

California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.

Money

The typical household here brings in $149,907 a year, higher than almost every county in America. Employers pay an average wage of $196,441. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 86% of American counties. 19% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

California takes 6.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $10,380 a year.

Home

The median home costs $1.6M, pricier than almost every county in America, about 8.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $3,110 a month. Property tax is 0.60% of home value, roughly $8,637 a year on that median home, lower than 77% of American counties. 60% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than almost every county in America. Drug overdoses killed 11 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 84.5 years, longer than almost every county in America. There are 4,105 active physicians in the county, about 54.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.8 of 5 stars. 4.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.19 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 73% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 48 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 74% of eligible voters turned out. Under California law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 57°F, highs near 66 and lows near 49, warmer than 58% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 291 Mbps down, faster than 93% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 11 breweries, 10 museums.