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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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San MateovsLos Angeles

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from San Mateo to Los Angeles will save you approximately $173,401 on median home prices (20.5% less). Monthly rent is $723 cheaper in Los Angeles. Note that median income is 0.0% lower in Los Angeles.

Housing
20.5% cheaper
Rent
20.5% cheaper
View San MateoView Los Angeles
Los Angeles

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

San Mateo, CA

Median Home Price$846,717
Monthly Rent$3,528
Median Income$82,922
Population103,524
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Destination

Los Angeles, CA

Median Home Price
$673,316-20.5%
Monthly Rent
$2,805-20.5%
Median Income
$82,922+0.0%
Population3,971,896
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

San Mateo

2015$2,776
2020$2,858
2025$3,528

Los Angeles

2015$1,914
2020$2,259
2025$2,805

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in Los Angeles.

San Mateo

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$67,036

Los Angeles

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$58,366
Costs

Key Insights

20.5%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Los Angeles
$723
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
0.0%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

San Mateo

Population103,524
Median Age39.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Los Angeles

Population3,971,896
Median Age35.0 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

San Mateo

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

Los Angeles

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Los Angeles or San Mateo?

Los Angeles is 20.5% cheaper for housing than San Mateo. The median home price in Los Angeles is $673,316 compared to $846,717 in San Mateo, a savings of $173,401.

What is the rent difference between San Mateo and Los Angeles?

Monthly rent in Los Angeles averages $2,805, while San Mateo averages $3,528. That's a savings of $723 per month, or $8,670 annually.

How do incomes compare between San Mateo and Los Angeles?

The median household income in Los Angeles is $82,922, which is 0.0% lower than San Mateo's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: San Mateo or Los Angeles?

San Mateo has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Los Angeles has 481 per 100k. San Mateo is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.

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