Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Francisco, CA
VS
San Mateo, CA
🏆 San Mateo leads 12 of 21 categories
San Francisco
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
117.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$136,689
Violent Crime Index
157⚠ High
Population
851,036 ✓ 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.
San Francisco, CA
Pros
Rent averages $655/mo less ($2,316 vs $2,971)
Homes cost $160k less ($1,348,700 vs $1,508,900)
Cooler summers — July highs near 62°F vs 73°F
Cons
Violent crime (596.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 117.1)
Property crime (3929.1/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.4% vs 4.7%)
San Mateo, CA
Pros
59% less violent crime than San Francisco
Violent crime is well below the national average (243.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (4.7%)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Households earn $12,463 more per year on average
Cons
Higher rents — median is $2,971/mo
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 118.2)
Pricier housing — median home is $1,508,900
Key Differences at a Glance
San Francisco
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 117.1 vs 118.2 (100 = US avg)
San Francisco
Median Home Value
$160k less
$1,348,700 vs $1,508,900
San Mateo
Median Income
$12,463
$149,152 vs $136,689/yr
San Mateo
Violent Crime
59% lower
243.2 vs 596.5 per 100k
San Mateo
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.7% vs 5.4% unemployment
San Mateo
Summer Heat
10.8°F warmer
July avg high 72.6°F vs 61.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 117.1⚠ High ✓ Cheaper | 118.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $1,348,700⚠ High ✓ Lower | $1,508,900⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,316⚠ High ✓ Lower | $2,971⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $136,689 | $149,152 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 31.8 min⚠ High | 28.5 min⚠ High ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 23.4% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 157⚠ High | 64 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 187⚠ High | 90 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) | A- (113) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.0:1 | 21.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 59.8% ✓ Higher | 58.2% |
| High School or Higher | 88.8% | 91.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Francisco Unified | San Mateo-Foster City |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer | 58.0°F |
| Avg High — July | 61.8°F | 72.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 30.0" | 19.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" | 0.0" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 851,036 ✓ Larger | 104,165 |
| Median Age | 39.3 ✓ Older | 38.1 |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.6% | 51.6% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 13.6% | 19.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 16.7% ✓ More | 16.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Francisco's cost of living index is 117.1 vs San Mateo's 118.2 (US average = 100).
San Francisco is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, San Mateo leads 12 of 21 categories. San Francisco wins 9 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 San Francisco to San Mateo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,348,700 vs $1,508,900 median home), income ($136,689 vs $149,152), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Francisco, CA and San Mateo, CA are about 41 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.