Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Philadelphia, PA
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 15 of 23 categories
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
San Mateo
California
15
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.
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Homes cost $1293k less ($215,500 vs $1,508,900)
Rent averages $1721/mo less ($1,250 vs $2,971)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than San Mateo
Smaller class sizes — 15.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Mateo by $91,615/yr
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 4.7%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
Households earn $91,615 more per year on average
73% less violent crime than Philadelphia
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.9 pts lower (4.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 58.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
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)
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Philadelphia
Key Differences at a Glance
Philadelphia
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 103.5 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
Philadelphia
Median Home Value
$1293k less
$215,500 vs $1,508,900
Philadelphia
Summer Heat
16.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 72.6°F
San Mateo
Median Income
$91,615
$149,152 vs $57,537/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
73% lower
243.2 vs 908.7 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
3.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.5⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $215,500 ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,537 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.8 min⚠ High | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% | 19.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 230⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 239⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High | 90 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.6% | 58.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Philadelphia City SD | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 41.6°F | 58.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer | 72.6°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.7" | 19.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.1" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger | 104,165 |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.2% ✓ Higher | 51.6% |
| Under 18 | 21.5% ✓ More | 19.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 16.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 103.5 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
Philadelphia is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 15 of 23 categories. Philadelphia wins 8 and San Mateo wins 15. 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 Philadelphia to San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($215,500 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($57,537 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Philadelphia, PA and San Mateo, CA are about 2,517 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.