Wealth Index
Among the top 3 wealthiest counties in California
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | San Mateo County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $156,301 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $101,865 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.8% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 30.3% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in San Mateo County is about 62% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in San Mateo County (6.8%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 30% of adults in San Mateo County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in San Mateo County, California grew by 84.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $156,301 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.8% per year.
Economic Inequality in San Mateo County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | San Mateo County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.549 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $106,495 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $95,848 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 10.0% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In San Mateo County, it is 0.549, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 11% more than women's income in San Mateo County, California. Over a 35-year career, a 11% wage gap accumulates to roughly $372,645 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Mateo County, California has narrowed from about 17% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $378 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | San Mateo County | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 22.0% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 23 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 18,494 people are unemployed in San Mateo County, California.
The average commute time in San Mateo County is 23 minutes, about the same as in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in San Mateo County, California has fallen from 7.3% to 4.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, San Mateo County, California has an overall wealth index grade of A, making it notably better than California, and notably better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in San Mateo County, California.
How Rich Is San Mateo County, California?
San Mateo County has a wealth index grade of A. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an A grade means residents are much better off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $156,301, about 62% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in San Mateo County, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in San Mateo County, California is $156,301.
What was the median household income in San Mateo County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in San Mateo County, California was $156,301.
What was the median household income in San Mateo County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in San Mateo County, California was $128,337.
What is the Gini coefficient in San Mateo County, California?
The Gini coefficient in San Mateo County is 0.549. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in San Mateo County, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Mateo County, California has narrowed from about 17% to 10% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $378 since 2009.