Palo Alto, 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.
Palo Alto
67.4
#1429 nationally
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
Palo Alto leads in median household income ($214,118 vs $149,152). Palo Alto leads in average commute (23.9 min vs 28.5 min). Palo Alto leads in crime level (5.8 vs 6.7).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Palo Alto, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 67.4 (#1429) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 65,882 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $3,599,324 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $214,118 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 23.9 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 61 | 68 |
| Crime Level | 5.8 | 6.7 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | N/A | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+40.0 | D+50.3 |
D+
67.4 Score
Palo Alto, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$3,599,324
Population
65,882
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Palo Alto, 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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