Cost of Living in San Mateo, CA - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,196 (excluding rent), and $4,429 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,210 (excluding rent), and $8,711 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.82 $20.82

$12.19 $12.19

$50.8 $50.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.5 $65.5

$50.4 $50.4

$201 $201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.4 $11.4

$9.91 $9.91

$13.88 $13.88

Cappuccino

$5.25 $5.25

$3.03 $3.03

$8.08 $8.08

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.21 $3.21

$1.96 $1.96

$4.91 $4.91

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.04 $2.04

$4.08 $4.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.05 $7.05

$2.52 $2.52

$10.07 $10.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.9 $9.9

$4.95 $4.95

$14.85 $14.85

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.05 $1.05

$2.09 $2.09

White Bread (500g)

$4.89 $4.89

$2.74 $2.74

$6.56 $6.56

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.26 $3.26

$2.22 $2.22

$15.59 $15.59

Eggs

$4.97 $4.97

$3.03 $3.03

$10.12 $10.12

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.81 $14.81

$12.07 $12.07

$32.92 $32.92

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.44 $15.44

$11.04 $11.04

$30.98 $30.98

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$21.66 $21.66

$15.13 $15.13

$43.3 $43.3

Apples (1kg)

$6.05 $6.05

$3.04 $3.04

$8.69 $8.69

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.51 $1.51

$6.74 $6.74

Oranges (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$3.36 $3.36

$11.29 $11.29

Tomato (1kg)

$6.73 $6.73

$3.14 $3.14

$11.17 $11.17

Potato (1kg)

$3.43 $3.43

$1.43 $1.43

$8.64 $8.64

Onion (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$1.95 $1.95

$10.94 $10.94

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.8 $2.8

$1.98 $1.98

$3.95 $3.95

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.88 $2.88

$0.77 $0.77

$4.6 $4.6

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.45 $11.45

$10.18 $10.18

$13.23 $13.23

Wine (Bottle)

$14.04 $14.04

$10.03 $10.03

$25.08 $25.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$3.06 $3.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.41 $3.41

$1.69 $1.69

$6.07 $6.07

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.56 $4.56

$1.27 $1.27

$4.56 $4.56

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.9 $64.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.6 $3.6

$15.41 $15.41

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.85 $1.85

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$30.24 $30.24

$65.5 $65.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.3 $1.3

$1.17 $1.17

$1.48 $1.48

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.8K $29.8K

$23.7K $23.7K

$36.4K $36.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.8K $25.8K

$25.4K $25.4K

$26.6K $26.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$252 $252

$178 $178

$444 $444

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$47.58 $47.58

$24.56 $24.56

$78.6 $78.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.8 $63.8

$50.7 $50.7

$106 $106

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$95.4 $95.4

$40.17 $40.17

$161 $161

Cinema Ticket

$15.76 $15.76

$15.25 $15.25

$30.51 $30.51

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,980 $1,980

$1,510 $1,510

$5,034 $5,034

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.5K $26.5K

$18.3K $18.3K

$40.7K $40.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53 $53

$29.91 $29.91

$97.7 $97.7

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.69 $29.69

$24.73 $24.73

$69.3 $69.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.1 $89.1

$50.6 $50.6

$137 $137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$124 $124

$79.1 $79.1

$198 $198

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,712 $2,712

$2,372 $2,372

$3,143 $3,143

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,894 $2,894

$2,838 $2,838

$2,950 $2,950

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,903 $5,903

$5,781 $5,781

$6,032 $6,032

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,342 $5,342

$4,791 $4,791

$5,893 $5,893

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,041 $7,041

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.32

4.7

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in San Mateo, CA - Frequently Asked Questions

San Mateo sits in the Bay Area with a premium on everyday costs, so you’ll notice the overall cost of living is elevated compared to many places. Cost of Living in San Mateo, CA, United States reflects the Bay Area premium and informs your budgeting. The upside is access to strong amenities, safe neighborhoods, solid internet, and a convenient link between San Francisco and Silicon Valley. If you’re budgeting as an expat or digital nomad, target housing that fits your schedule – short stays or house shares can ease the transition while you size up neighborhoods. Public transit, walkable downtown, and diverse dining help balance expenses without sacrificing lifestyle. Tip: map out a few commuting patterns to compare time and cost across upgrades in housing options.

Daily life in San Mateo unfolds around a walkable core with transit links and a steady stream of dining options. When you search housing, focus on Downtown for transit access, or consider Baywood and Hillsdale for quieter streets and more space. San Mateo, CA, United States living cost can influence which options fit your budget, so consider shared leases or longer-term arrangements to stay flexible while you scout. Grocery choices range from large markets to specialty shops, and you’ll find farmers markets in season. For remote work, reliable Wi‑Fi is common in many cafes and co-working spaces. Tip: map out weekly errands to group trips and save time.

Quality of life here is defined by proximity to parks, good dining, and solid transport links. A practical budgeting framework helps you stretch the budget: dedicate a housing bucket, a food and essentials bucket, and a transport allowance, then adapt as you learn the neighborhoods. For neighborhood fit, Downtown offers nightlife and transit access; Baywood tends to feel quieter with more green spaces; Hillsdale has a family-friendly vibe and shopping. Seasonality matters less for temperature than for traffic patterns and event calendars, which can affect daily costs – plan around weekends or large events if you’re commuting. Tip: pick a trial neighborhood for a couple weeks to test daily routines before committing.