CountyScore

San Mateo County

California · CA

#56 in California
51.3
County Score

County Report Card

About San Mateo County, California

San Mateo trails national median

San Mateo's composite score of 44.8 sits below the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 40th percentile nationally. This reflects a county with exceptional income and tax advantages offset by severe housing affordability constraints. Despite strong earnings, the overall livability picture is held back by cost-of-living pressures.

Below average among California counties

San Mateo ranks below the California state average of 61.3, placing it in the lower half of the state's county livability rankings. The gap widens when comparing to more balanced counties across California. This positioning reflects the trade-offs inherent in the Bay Area housing market.

Top earners with favorable tax rates

San Mateo excels with the state's highest median household income at $156,000 and a tax score of 85.0 reflecting an effective rate of just 0.613%. Residents here enjoy substantial earning power and retain more income through favorable tax treatment. These are among California's wealthiest workers, with the financial resources to manage higher costs.

Housing affordability remains critical

The county's cost score of just 4.6 reflects a median home value of $1,494,500 and monthly rent averaging $2,893—among California's highest. Even for high-income earners, housing consumes an outsized share of household budgets. Data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors is not yet available, limiting our full picture of livability.

For affluent professionals accepting trade-offs

San Mateo suits high-earning tech workers and executives who prioritize career opportunity and income growth over affordability. Success here requires household incomes well above $150,000 and willingness to spend 30-40% or more on housing. This is a premium market for premium earners.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax85Cost4.6SafetyComing SoonHealth85.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome85.2Risk0.8WaterComing Soon
🏛85
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠4.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼85.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare San Mateo County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Santa Clara County
California
51.3
Median income: $159,674
Webb County
Texas
51.4
Median income: $62,506
Marin County
California
51
Median income: $142,785
Bexar County
Texas
51
Median income: $70,571
Cook County
Illinois
51.6
Median income: $81,797

Deep Dives

San Mateo County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Mateo County

via TaxByCounty

San Mateo taxes dwarf national average

San Mateo County homeowners pay a median of $9,167 annually—more than three times the national median of $2,690. At an effective rate of 0.613%, San Mateo falls below California's state average of 0.714%, but the county's sky-high home values ($1.49 million median) mean the real tax burden ranks in the top 5% nationally.

Mid-pack rates, top-tier prices

San Mateo's effective tax rate places it solidly in the middle range among California's 58 counties, about 40 spots from the highest. However, when measured by actual dollars paid, San Mateo ranks among the state's highest-taxed counties, second only to a handful of wealthier enclaves in the Bay Area.

Pricier than Santa Clara, less than peers

San Mateo homeowners pay $9,167 annually, slightly less than neighboring Santa Clara County ($9,766) despite similar home values near $1.5 million. Santa Cruz County, just south, has cheaper homes ($1.01 million) and lower annual taxes ($6,305), while still maintaining a similar effective rate.

A $1.5M home costs $9,167 yearly

The typical San Mateo homeowner with a $1.49 million home pays $9,167 in property taxes annually. Homeowners with mortgages see effective totals closer to $10,001 when combining principal residence exemptions and other factors.

Overassessments could mean refunds

Many San Mateo County homeowners are unaware they may be overassessed—meaning your home's assessed value exceeds its true market value. Filing a property tax appeal costs nothing and could lower your annual bill significantly, especially in a volatile real estate market.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in San Mateo County

via CostByCounty

San Mateo's rent burden rivals the nation

San Mateo renters spend 22.3% of their income on housing—just below the state average of 22.4%—making it more affordable than the typical American county. With a median household income of $156,000, residents here earn more than double the national median of $74,755, cushioning the impact of high rents.

Among the most expensive in California

San Mateo ranks among California's priciest counties, with a median home value of $1.49 million and rents averaging $2,893 per month. Though the rent-to-income ratio sits slightly better than state average, the absolute costs place it firmly in the state's unaffordable tier.

The Peninsula premium over the valley

Renters in San Mateo pay $1,275 more monthly than their Santa Clara County neighbors ($2,893 vs. $2,814), despite similar income levels. Compared to nearby Santa Cruz County ($2,172/month), San Mateo's rental market commands a 33% premium.

Where income goes in San Mateo

The typical household earning $156,000 annually faces $2,893 in monthly rent or $3,278 for ownership costs. Combined with other expenses, housing consumes roughly one-quarter of household income—manageable for high earners, but leaving less for savings and other needs.

Considering San Mateo? Know the tradeoffs

High incomes make San Mateo work for many professionals, but the $1.49 million median home price requires substantial savings or income. Compare these costs against Santa Clara ($1.38M homes) or Santa Cruz ($1.02M) if you're weighing Bay Area options.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Mateo County

via IncomeByCounty

San Mateo earns double the nation

San Mateo County's median household income of $156,000 more than doubles the U.S. median of $74,755, placing it among the wealthiest counties in America. Residents here earn roughly 109% above the national average, reflecting the county's concentration of tech workers and high-skill professionals. This income advantage compounds over time, creating substantial wealth-building potential.

Highest earners in California

At $156,000, San Mateo's median household income towers 79% above California's state average of $87,001, ranking it in the top tier of all 58 California counties. The per capita income of $81,980 also crushes the state average of $43,669 by nearly 88%. This is one of California's premier income strongholds.

Silicon Valley's income twin

San Mateo ($156,000) nearly matches neighboring Santa Clara County ($159,674), both anchored by tech corridors and biotech clusters in the Bay Area. Santa Cruz County ($109,266) and Solano County ($99,994) lag significantly behind, earning roughly $47,000 and $56,000 less per household respectively. The Bay Area's geography creates stark income divides within a single region.

High income, higher costs

Despite earning the state's highest incomes, San Mateo residents spend 22.3% of income on rent—above the 30% affordability threshold—because median home values hit $1,494,500. The county's extreme housing costs absorb a significant portion of even these substantial earnings. Financial planning here must prioritize long-term wealth strategies beyond housing.

Leverage Bay Area income gains

With median household income exceeding $156,000, San Mateo households have significant capacity to invest beyond housing costs. Consider diversifying into retirement accounts, index funds, and long-term equity positions to build generational wealth. The county's high earners are positioned to achieve financial independence faster than nearly any other region in America.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in San Mateo County

via HealthByCounty

San Mateo leads on longevity

San Mateo residents live to 84.1 years on average, nearly 6 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.3 years. Only 13.2% report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 18%, signaling strong overall wellness in the county.

California's healthiest counties

San Mateo's 84.1-year life expectancy ranks among the top in California, exceeding the state average of 78.5 years by 5.6 years. The county consistently outperforms state benchmarks across major health indicators.

Clear health edge over peers

San Mateo residents live 2.3 years longer than Santa Clara County (83.8 years) and 2.5 years longer than Santa Cruz County (81.8 years). With a 13.2% poor/fair health rate, San Mateo also reports significantly better self-reported health than neighboring Santa Barbara County at 16.7%.

Strong providers, low uninsured

Just 4.6% of San Mateo residents lack health insurance, well below California's 7.2% state average. The county supports 109 primary care providers and 485 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, ensuring robust access to care.

Maintain coverage you can trust

Even with low uninsured rates, coverage gaps can emerge. Visit coveredca.com to explore plans, confirm your current coverage is optimal, or enroll if you've experienced a life change qualifying you for immediate coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in San Mateo County

via RiskByCounty

San Mateo's disaster risk ranks high nationally

San Mateo County scores 99.24 on composite risk, placing it well above the national average and earning a 'Relatively High' rating. This score reflects significant exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly earthquakes and floods that threaten the Bay Area's dense coastal communities.

Among California's riskiest counties

San Mateo's 99.24 score exceeds California's average of 88.72, ranking it in the state's upper tier for disaster vulnerability. The county faces compounded risk from its position on major fault lines and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

Riskier than most Bay Area peers

San Mateo (99.24) faces slightly lower overall risk than neighboring Santa Clara County (99.75) but higher risk than Santa Cruz County (97.81). The three-county region represents some of California's most hazard-prone territory, driven by seismic activity and flood exposure.

Earthquakes and floods pose greatest threat

San Mateo's earthquake risk scores 99.71—among the highest in the state—while flood risk reaches 98.44, threatening low-lying areas and infrastructure. Wildfire risk (92.02) is moderate but significant, especially in the county's inland neighborhoods and open space areas.

Earthquake and flood coverage essential here

Homeowners in San Mateo should secure earthquake insurance immediately, as standard policies exclude seismic damage. Flood insurance is equally critical for residents near creeks, bays, or flood plains—especially given the county's 98.44 flood risk score.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.