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San Mateo, CA
San Mateo · CA 94401
Updated October 30, 2026 · Would You Live There?
Good for now
Verdict
$1.8M
Median Price
45/100
Walk Score
5/10
Schools
26 min
to San Francisco
Score Breakdown
FAffordability
15/100
BSafety
78/100
D+Schools
50/100
D+Quietness
50/100
B+Commute
85/100
DWalkability
45/100
WYLT Score54/100
Our Take
San Mateo offers strong school quality, a solid median income, and easy access to San Francisco, making it a comfortable spot for families and commuters. The price of homes and rentals is high, and the area isn’t highly walkable, but overall it’s a solid, livable community.
B.
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The Good
- ✓Top-rated public schools
- ✓High median household income
- ✓Short commute (26 min) to downtown San Francisco
- ✓Good public transit options and nearby highway access
Real Talk
- !Very high home and rent prices relative to surrounding areas
- !Limited walkability and pedestrian infrastructure
- !Traffic congestion during peak hours can be significant
- !Property taxes and insurance costs are high for the region
- $Annual property tax burden can exceed 1.5% of home value
- $Homeowners’ association fees for many condominium developments
- $Higher utility and internet costs due to premium service providers
Best For
Tech professionalsFamilies with childrenCommuters to San FranciscoRemote workers seeking a stable community
Risk Snapshot
Flood riskLow
Violent crimeLow
Property crimeModerate
Air qualityGood
Price volatilityHigh
Crime & Safety
San Mateo, CA
B
Safety grade
Safety score78 / 100
High riskVery safe
⚠️Violent Crime
Low1.6incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (3.7)11+
57% safer than the national average
🔒Property Crime
Moderate19.8incidents / 1,000 residents / yr
0Natl avg (19.5)59+
2% higher than the national average
Verify with real-time data
City-Data stats →From Residents
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