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San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Cost of living in San Mateo, California

San Mateo County, CA

Part of the San Francisco Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$5,567/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 745,100 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $2,780 50%
Federal tax $1,103 20%
Healthcare $480 9%
Groceries $397 7%
State tax $280 5%
Transport $250 4%
Energy $217 4%
Water $60 1%

Rent in San Mateo

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$2,275
per month
1 bedroom
$2,780
per month
2 bedroom
$3,318
per month
3 bedroom
$4,138
per month
4 bedroom
$4,399
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in San Mateo

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$156,000
per year
Individual earnings
$72,174
per year
Per capita
$81,980
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in San Mateo

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$1,494,500
Annual property tax
$9,167

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in San Mateo

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$167
per month · 30.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$50
per month
Annual total
$2,604
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in San Mateo

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
3.9%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in San Mateo

State and local tax rates for California.

State income tax
13.3%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
7.3%
Combined sales tax
8.8%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in San Mateo

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
27.3 min
Drive alone
57.6%
Public transit
6.4%
Work from home
21.9%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for San Mateo

What it costs to live in San Mateo each month.

Single person
$5,567
per month
  • Rent $2,780
  • Energy $217
  • Water $60
  • Groceries $397
  • Transport $250
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $1,103
  • State tax $280
Couple
$8,945
per month
  • Rent $3,318
  • Energy $260
  • Water $70
  • Groceries $658
  • Transport $350
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $2,495
  • State tax $930
Family
$11,972
per month
  • Rent $4,138
  • Energy $326
  • Water $85
  • Groceries $998
  • Transport $450
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $2,495
  • State tax $930

Frequently asked questions about San Mateo

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in San Mateo?

In San Mateo, California, a one-bedroom apartment averages $2,780 per month, a two-bedroom averages $3,318 per month, a three-bedroom averages $4,138 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in San Mateo?

In San Mateo, California, the average household income is $156,000 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $72,174 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in San Mateo?

The estimated cost of living in San Mateo, California is approximately $5,567 per month for a single person, $8,945 for a couple, $11,972 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in San Mateo?

The combined sales tax rate in San Mateo, California is 8.85%, which includes the California state rate of 7.25% plus an average local rate of 1.60%.

Is San Mateo an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in San Mateo, California would need approximately $5,567 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $156,000 per year ($13,000 per month). San Mateo is relatively affordable compared to the national average.

How much does healthcare cost in San Mateo?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in San Mateo, California is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 3.9% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in San Mateo?

The average home value in San Mateo, California is $1,494,500, with average annual property taxes of $9,167, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does San Mateo compare to other areas?

You can compare San Mateo, California with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. San Mateo is in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area.

Other counties in California

Browse the full list of counties in California, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in California

Compare San Mateo with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources