Imperial Beach, CA vs San Mateo, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Imperial Beach
62.9
#1815 nationally
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
San Mateo leads in crime level (6.7 vs 14.8). San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $75,731). Imperial Beach leads in cost of living index (167 vs 249).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Imperial Beach, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 62.9 (#1815) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 25,458 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $844,131 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $75,731 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 27.2 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 69 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 14.8 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 167 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+16.8 | D+50.3 |
D-
62.9 Score
Imperial Beach, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$844,131
Population
25,458
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Imperial Beach, CA →
D
63 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
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