San Mateo, CA vs South Pasadena, 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.
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
South Pasadena
63.6
#1760 nationally
San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $127,882). South Pasadena leads in crime level (5.8 vs 6.7). South Pasadena leads in cost of living index (228 vs 249).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | San Mateo, CA | South Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 63 (#1808) | 63.6 (#1760) |
| Population | 101,327 | 25,623 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,685,162 | $1,707,701 |
| Median Household Income | $149,152 | $127,882 |
| Average Commute | 28.5 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 68 | 67 |
| Crime Level | 6.7 | 5.8 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 249 | 228 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+50.3 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D
63.6 Score
South Pasadena, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,707,701
Population
25,623
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
67
Pacific
View South Pasadena, CA →
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