Head-to-Head · City Comparison
El Cajon, CA
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 12 of 22 categories
El Cajon
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$64,128
Violent Crime Index
114⚠ High
Population
105,721 ✓ Larger
San Mateo
California
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
118.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$149,152 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
64 ✓ Safer
Population
104,165
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
El Cajon, CA
Pros
Homes cost $915k less ($593,500 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $1285/mo less ($1,686 vs $2,971)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 69°F vs 58°F
7% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $85,024/yr
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 111.5)
Higher unemployment (8.1% vs 4.7%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $85,024 more per year on average
44% less violent crime than El Cajon
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.4 pts lower (4.7%)
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 73°F vs 86°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Longer commutes — 28.5 min average each way
Key Differences at a Glance
El Cajon
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 111.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
El Cajon
Median Home Value
$915k less
$593,500 vs $1,508,900
El Cajon
Summer Heat
13.5°F warmer
July avg high 86.1°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$85,024
$149,152 vs $64,128/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
44% lower
243.2 vs 434.4 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
3.4 pp lower
4.7% vs 8.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | El Cajon, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 111.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $593,500⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,686⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,128 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.1%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.4 min ✓ Shorter | 28.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 8.8% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 97 | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 114⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 71 ✓ Safer | 90 |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (66) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.8:1 | 21.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 23.0% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.8% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Cajon Valley Union | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 69.3°F ✓ Warmer | 58.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.1°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 13.5" ✓ Drier | 19.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 105,721 ✓ Larger | 104,165 |
| Median Age | 35.6 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.7% | 51.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
El Cajon's cost of living index is 111.5 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
El Cajon is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 12 of 22 categories. El Cajon wins 10 and San Mateo wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from El Cajon to San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($593,500 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($64,128 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
El Cajon, CA and San Mateo, CA are about 446 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.