Rialto vs San Mateo: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Rialto, CA and San Mateo, CA, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Rialto, CA | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,873 | 104,165 |
| Median household income | $80,750 | $149,152 |
| Median home value | $418,300 | $1,508,900 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,553 | $2,971 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
Ad slot:
compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Rialto, CA and San Mateo, CA comes down to what you value most. Rialto has the lower median home value, and Rialto has the lower median rent.
San Mateo has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Rialto or San Mateo?
- By median home value, Rialto is the cheaper of the two ($418,300 vs $1,508,900). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Rialto or San Mateo?
- Median household income is $80,750 in Rialto versus $149,152 in San Mateo, per the US Census Bureau.