Median Age
41 Years
Largest Age Group
35-44 Years
Approximately 16% of Residents
Under 20
21%
Over 65
18%
San Mateo, CA
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$3,141
Population
100,245
Renter Mix
50% Rent
A Bay Area treasure with waterfront appeal and family-friendly amenities
Bayfront
•
Architecture
•
Restaurants
San Mateo, located 20 miles south of San Francisco on the Peninsula, combines suburban living with city conveniences. The downtown area features more than 800 shops and restaurants within preserved 19th and early 20th-century architecture. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the city's parks, including Central Park, home to a Japanese tea garden, rose garden, and miniature train. At Coyote Point Park, residents can explore 670 acres of recreational space for activities like windsurfing and sailing, or visit CuriOdyssey, a science museum and wildlife center. Current rental rates range from $2,445 for studios to $5,067 for three-bedroom units.
San Mateo's distinct neighborhoods each offer their own character, from the historic downtown district to Bay Meadows, an 83-acre transit-oriented development. The Hillsdale area, centered around the modernized Hillsdale Shopping Center, provides extensive shopping options and easy access to public transit. The College of San Mateo campus sits in the western foothills, offering educational opportunities across its 153-acre campus with sweeping views of the bay.
Explore the City
Main Street District is the main attraction for dining and shopping in Downtown San Mateo.
A fisherman at the San Francisco Bay Trail
San Mateo Recreation Area is situated next to a marina.
Downtown San Mateo's Japanese Tea Garden has a koi pond and traditional japanese bridges.
Hayward Park residents love dining at Jack's restaurant in San Mateo.
Mediterranean homes can be found in Hayward Park in San Mateo.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$136,641
Average: $164,590
Education
46,866
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
56,090
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
In San Mateo, there are roughly the same number of renters and homeowners.
Renters
50%
Non-Renters
50%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
43%
Other Education
57%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in San Mateo, CA is $2,638 for a studio, $3,147 for one bedroom, $4,062 for two bedrooms, and $5,595 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in San Mateo has increased by 6.1% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$3,147/month
697 Sq Ft
House
$10,276/month
2,223 Sq Ft
Condo
$3,927/month
1,089 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly San Mateo, CA is for everyday living.
Moderately Walkable
Walkability
60
/ 100
Good Public Transit
Transit
60
/ 100
Exceptionally Drivable
Drivability
90
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
50
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
North Shoreview Montessori Elementary School
Public
Grades K-8
325 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
418 Students
Public
Grades K-5
370 Students
Public
Grades K-5
431 Students
Public
Grades K-5
370 Students
North Shoreview Montessori Elementary School
Public
Grades K-8
325 Students
Public
Grades PK-8
418 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
903 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
903 Students
Public
Grades K-8
840 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,658 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,658 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,585 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,585 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,557 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- San Mateo Arboretum
- Japanese Tea Garden (San Mateo)
- Shoreline Parks
- Coyote Point Recreational Area
- CuriOdyssey
Airports
- San Francisco International
- Metro Oakland International
Top Apartments in San Mateo
Houses for Rent in San Mateo
Search Nearby Rentals
Nearby City Rentals
Nearby Neighborhood Rentals
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.