How many renters in San Mateo, CA pay more than 30% of their income on rent?
46.5% (±3.6 points) of renting households in San Mateo, CA spend 30% or more of their household income on gross rent (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
38.6% spend 35% or more.
The median renting household spends 28.4% of its income on rent.
Figures last updated on .
- Paying 30% or more
- 46.5% (±3.6 points)
- Paying 35% or more
- 38.6% (±3.2 points)
- Median share of income
- 28.4% (±1.4 points)
Rent as a share of income in San Mateo
| Share of income spent on rent | San Mateo | San Mateo County | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 15% | 12.7% (±1.9 points) | 13.8% | 10.4% | 12.6% |
| 15% to 19.9% | 16.2% (±2.3 points) | 13.7% | 11.1% | 12.2% |
| 20% to 24.9% | 13.8% (±2.5 points) | 13.0% | 12.0% | 12.6% |
| 25% to 29.9% | 10.8% (±1.7 points) | 11.1% | 11.2% | 11.5% |
| 30% to 34.9% | 7.9% (±1.7 points) | 8.1% | 9.3% | 9.2% |
| 35% or more | 38.6% (±3.2 points) | 40.3% | 46.0% | 41.9% |
Households whose income could not be measured against their rent (for example, those reporting no income) are left out of these shares, as the Census Bureau leaves them out.
San Mateo against San Mateo County, its state and the nation
| San Mateo | San Mateo County | California | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paying 30% or more | 46.5% (±3.6 points) | 48.4% (±1.5 points) | 55.3% (±0.2 points) | 51.1% |
| Paying 35% or more | 38.6% (±3.2 points) | 40.3% (±1.3 points) | 46.0% (±0.2 points) | 41.9% |
| Median share of income | 28.4% (±1.4 points) | 29.3% (±0.6 points) | 32.8% (±0.2 points) | 30.6% |
| Median renter household income | $127,880 (±$10,969) | $119,424 (±$3,650) | $71,186 (±$298) | $52,966 |
| Median gross rent | $3,077 (±$100) | $2,922 (±$40) | $2,036 (±$5) | $1,413 |
In San Mateo, the share of renters paying 30% or more of income is not measurably different from San Mateo County (48.4%).
It is also lower than in California (55.3%).
It is lower than the national figure (51.1%).
In San Mateo County, San Mateo ranks 15 of 31 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest share of renters paying 30% or more of income.
Statewide, it ranks 813 of 1,067.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Renters paying 30% or more of income in places near San Mateo
| Place | Distance | Renters paying 30% or more of income | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo | — | 46.5% (±3.6 points) | — |
| Hillsborough | 2.6 mi | 20.7% (±21.6 points) | Lower |
| Baywood Park | 2.7 mi | 16.9% (±54.2 points) | Not measurably different |
| Foster City | 3.3 mi | 42.1% (±6.2 points) | Not measurably different |
| Belmont | 3.3 mi | 42.1% (±8.0 points) | Not measurably different |
| Highlands | 3.4 mi | 33.6% (±24.1 points) | Not measurably different |
| Burlingame | 3.5 mi | 44.4% (±6.3 points) | Not measurably different |
| San Carlos | 4.8 mi | 37.8% (±7.7 points) | Lower |
| Millbrae | 5.7 mi | 49.6% (±7.0 points) | Not measurably different |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: Hillsborough, CA (20.7%), San Carlos, CA (37.8%).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Renters paying 30% or more of income across San Mateo County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Renters paying 30% or more of income |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | San Bruno | 52.5% (±7.0 points) |
| 10 | West Menlo Park | 52.0% (±29.3 points) |
| 11 | South San Francisco | 51.7% (±5.2 points) |
| 12 | Pacifica | 51.4% (±6.5 points) |
| 13 | Millbrae | 49.6% (±7.0 points) |
| 14 | Redwood City | 46.7% (±2.9 points) |
| 15 | San Mateo | 46.5% (±3.6 points) |
| 16 | Menlo Park | 46.3% (±6.7 points) |
| 17 | Colma | 45.2% (±16.4 points) |
| 18 | Burlingame | 44.4% (±6.3 points) |
| 19 (tie) | Belmont | 42.1% (±8.0 points) |
| 19 (tie) | Foster City | 42.1% (±6.2 points) |
| 21 | Half Moon Bay | 40.0% (±12.0 points) |
Showing 13 of 31 places in San Mateo County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about San Mateo
Are renters in San Mateo rent-burdened?
46.5% of renting households in San Mateo pay 30% or more of their income in gross rent, the share housing researchers usually call rent-burdened (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
What share of income do renters in San Mateo spend on rent?
The median renting household in San Mateo, CA spends 28.4% (±1.4 points) of its household income on gross rent.
Sources
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — San Mateo city, California
- Median Gross Rent as a Percentage of Household Income (B25071), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — San Mateo city, California
- Median Household Income by Tenure (B25119), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — San Mateo city, California
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) and detailed tables (acs/acs5) for San Mateo city, California (place:68252, in state:06).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP04_0136E, DP04_0136M, DP04_0137PE, DP04_0137PM, DP04_0138PE, DP04_0138PM, DP04_0139PE, DP04_0139PM, DP04_0140PE, DP04_0140PM, DP04_0141PE, DP04_0141PM, DP04_0142PE, DP04_0142PM, B25071_001E, B25071_001M, B25119_003E, B25119_003M
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
Related
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