IncomeBy County

San Mateo County, California

Income Data

U.S. Census Bureau ACS
+79% vs. California average
$156,000
Median Household Income
$81,980
Per Capita Income

At a Glance

Median Household Income
$156,000
+79% vs. state avg
Per Capita Income
$81,980
+108% vs. national
Income-to-Housing Ratio
10.4%
income as % of home value
Rank in California
#2 / 58
by median household income

Economic Indicators

Unemployment Rate
N/A
Labor Force Participation
N/A

How San Mateo County Compares

San Mateo County$156,000
California Average$87,001
National Median$74,755

Detailed Income Statistics

$156,000
Median Household Income
$81,980
Per Capita Income
$1,494,500
Median Home Value
10.4%
Income-to-Housing Ratio

Income Advisory: San Mateo County

Income Verdict

San Mateo County has a median household income of $156,000 and per capita income of $81,980 — a gap of $74,020, suggesting a typical mix of dual-income and single-earner households.

Housing Affordability

With median gross rent at $2,893/month and a median household income of $156,000, rent consumes approximately 22.3% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.

Economic Context

The median household income of $156,000 places San Mateo County in a high-earning tier, supporting strong purchasing power and above-average consumer spending. Per capita income of $81,980 reflects a relatively affluent population with substantial individual earning capacity.

Neighbor Context

San Mateo County earns approximately 79.3% above the California state median household income of $87,001, positioning it favorably within the state.

Data Story

About Household Income in San Mateo County, California

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median household income in San Mateo County, California?
The median household income in San Mateo County, California is $156,000, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the county.
How much do people earn in San Mateo County?
The per capita income in San Mateo County is $81,980, which represents the average income per person across the entire county population. The median household income — which accounts for all earners in a household — is $156,000.
How does San Mateo County compare to the California average?
San Mateo County's median household income of $156,000 is higher than the California state average of $87,001. The per capita income is $81,980, compared to the state average of $43,669.
What is the per capita income in San Mateo County, California?
The per capita income in San Mateo County, California is $81,980, according to U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. Per capita income is calculated by dividing total personal income by total population, providing an average income figure per resident.
Why is San Mateo County income higher than the California average?
San Mateo County's median household income of $156,000 is higher than the California average of $87,001. This difference of $68,999 can be attributed to factors such as local industry mix, proximity to major employment centers, educational attainment levels, and cost of living. Counties with higher incomes often have a greater concentration of professional and technical occupations.
How does San Mateo County rank for income in California?
San Mateo County ranks #2 out of 58 counties in California by median household income (1 = highest). With a median household income of $156,000 and per capita income of $81,980, it falls in the top third of counties statewide.

Income Comparison Calculator

See how your household income compares in San Mateo County

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County median: $156,000 per year

vs. County Median

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vs. State Average

+79%

vs. National Median

+109%

vs. San Mateo County MedianAbout equal
vs. California Average▲ 79% above
vs. National Median▲ 109% above

Income Adequacy

Monthly income covers median rent4.5x

Your monthly income ($13,000) vs. median rent ($2,893/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.

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By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.

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