Housing
Home prices and rent in San Mateo
Median home values, rents and incomes from the U.S. Census Bureau, compared with California and the U.S.
Census geography: San Mateo city, California. These survey estimates are not current listing prices.
San Mateo vs. California and the U.S.
| San Mateo | California | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $1,618,700 | $734,700 | $332,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $3,077 | $2,036 | $1,413 |
| Median household income | $153,504 | $99,122 | $80,734 |
| Homes owned by occupants | 50% | 56% | 65% |
| Median year built | 1965 | 1976 | 1980 |
Ten years of change
| 2014 | 2019 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $736,600 | $1,098,400 | $1,618,700 |
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,710 | $2,475 | $3,077 |
| Median household income | $90,087 | $124,842 | $153,504 |
Fair Market Rents (HUD, fiscal year 2027)
San Francisco, CA HUD Metro FMR Area · San Mateo County. HUD's payment benchmarks for housing programs: typical gross rent (rent plus utilities) for a recent mover, not a listing or an asking rent.
Large figures are the metro-area Fair Market Rent.
Income limits (HUD, fiscal year 2026)
Area median family income: $200,800. Households at or under these incomes can qualify for many housing programs; check each program's own rules.
| Household size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low income (80%) | $117,700 | $134,500 | $151,300 | $168,100 | $181,550 | $195,000 | $208,450 | $221,900 |
| Very low income (50%) | $73,550 | $84,050 | $94,550 | $105,050 | $113,500 | $121,900 | $130,300 | $138,700 |
| Extremely low income (30%) | $44,150 | $50,450 | $56,750 | $63,050 | $68,100 | $73,150 | $78,200 | $83,250 |
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fair Market Rents and Income Limits, checked October 9, 2026.
Questions
What is the median home value in San Mateo?
$1,618,700, according to the Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey (5-year estimates), compared with $734,700 in California and $332,700 nationally.
How much is rent in San Mateo?
Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $3,077 a month, versus $2,036 statewide.
How much have home values risen in San Mateo?
The median home value went from $736,600 in 2014 to $1,618,700 in 2024 (+120%).
What is fair market rent in San Mateo?
HUD's fiscal year 2027 Fair Market Rent for the San Francisco, CA HUD Metro FMR Area is $2,574 for a studio, $3,003 for one bedroom and $3,697 for two bedrooms. These are HUD program benchmarks, not asking rents.
Are these current market prices?
No. They are survey medians from the Census Bureau, based on a five-year survey period, so they lag today’s listings. They are the most consistent way to compare places and track change over time.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2014, 2019, 2024), San Mateo city, California. Values are estimates with margins of error.