

San Mateo County, CA vs Santa Clara County, CA
San Mateo County, CA comes out ahead of Santa Clara County, CA on 14 of 27 statistics where one end is better, to 12 with 1 ties. San Mateo County, CA leads on Economics.
27 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better; 1 tie. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 14
- Avg. percentile
- 73
- Categories led
- 1
- Wins
- 12
- Avg. percentile
- 69
- Categories led
- 0
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US counties.
| Statistic | San Mateo County, CA | Santa Clara County, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 746,509 93rd of 3,094 | 1,920,872 18th of 3,094 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $158,855 3rd of 3,093 | $164,281 2nd of 3,093 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 6.71% 177th of 3,094 | 7.11% 229th of 3,094 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 3.9% tied 1,379th of 3,094 | 4.3% tied 1,866th of 3,094 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 28.7% tied 38th of 3,094 | 31.8% tied 301st of 3,094 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 26.4 2,062nd of 3,094 | 26.2 2,028th of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,999 718th of 3,050 | 2,907 tied 674th of 3,050 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- EconomicsSan Mateo County, CA · 9 statistics
- HealthEven · 11 statistics
Biggest differences
The 22 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 1,547 US counties.
| Statistic | San Mateo County, CA | Santa Clara County, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Who Binge Drink (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.0% tied 730th of 2,916 | 13.3% tied 89th of 2,916 |
| Cooling Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 137 100th of 3,050 | 633 tied 776th of 3,050 |
| Adults with Diabetes (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 9% tied 420th of 2,916 | 9.8% tied 872nd of 2,916 |
| Unemployment Rate (%)Unemployment Rate by County (BLS) | 3.9% tied 1,379th of 3,094 | 4.3% tied 1,866th of 3,094 |
| Adults with No Leisure-Time Exercise (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 19.3% tied 178th of 2,916 | 21.8% tied 446th of 2,916 |
| Adults Sleeping Under 7 Hours (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 28.7% tied 38th of 3,094 | 31.8% tied 301st of 3,094 |
| Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 69.2% tied 2,699th of 2,916 | 70.4% tied 2,570th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Depression (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 18.7% tied 155th of 2,916 | 17.9% tied 81st of 2,916 |
| Adults in Fair or Poor Health (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 16.1% tied 423rd of 2,916 | 15.8% tied 353rd of 2,916 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 6.71% 177th of 3,094 | 7.11% 229th of 3,094 |
| Heating Degree Days per YearClimate by County (1991–2020 Averages) | 2,999 718th of 3,050 | 2,907 tied 674th of 3,050 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 26.4 2,062nd of 3,094 | 26.2 2,028th of 3,094 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 53.7% 63rd of 3,094 | 56.5% 45th of 3,094 |
| Adults Who Smoke (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 8% tied 13th of 2,916 | 8.2% 17th of 2,916 |
| Adults with Frequent Mental Distress (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 13.9% 18th of 2,916 | 14.0% tied 19th of 2,916 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $1.56M 3,090th of 3,092 | $1.49M 3,088th of 3,092 |
| Median IncomePoorest Counties | $158,855 3rd of 2,000 | $164,281 2nd of 2,000 |
| Adults with Obesity (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 22.0% 10th of 2,916 | 21.9% 9th of 2,916 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $2,922 3,090th of 3,090 | $2,857 3,089th of 3,090 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | $158,855 3rd of 3,093 | $164,281 2nd of 3,093 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by County (Census) | 95.7% 35th of 3,094 | 95.6% 36th of 3,094 |
| Adults 18–64 Without Health Insurance (%)Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES) | 6.9% tied 149th of 2,916 | 6.9% tied 149th of 2,916 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, San Mateo County, CA or Santa Clara County, CA?
- San Mateo County, CA comes out ahead of Santa Clara County, CA on 14 of 27 statistics where one end is better, to 12 with 1 ties. San Mateo County, CA leads on Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, San Mateo County, CA or Santa Clara County, CA?
- San Mateo County, CA has a population of 746,509 (93rd of 3,094 US counties) and Santa Clara County, CA has 1,920,872 (18th of 3,094).
- How do San Mateo County, CA and Santa Clara County, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: San Mateo County, CA $158,855 (3rd of 3,093), Santa Clara County, CA $164,281 (2nd of 3,093) among US counties. Santa Clara County, CA ranks better.
- How do San Mateo County, CA and Santa Clara County, CA compare on Poverty Rate (%)?
- Poverty Rate (%): San Mateo County, CA 6.71% (177th of 3,094), Santa Clara County, CA 7.11% (229th of 3,094) among US counties. San Mateo County, CA ranks better.
- Where does San Mateo County, CA beat Santa Clara County, CA most clearly?
- San Mateo County, CA ranks far ahead on Cooling Degree Days per Year (Climate by County (1991–2020 Averages)): 137 vs 633; Adults with Diabetes (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 9% vs 9.8%; Unemployment Rate (%) (Unemployment Rate by County (BLS)): 3.9% vs 4.3%.
- Where does Santa Clara County, CA beat San Mateo County, CA most clearly?
- Santa Clara County, CA ranks far ahead on Adults Who Binge Drink (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 13.3% vs 16.0%; Adults with a Yearly Checkup (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 70.4% vs 69.2%; Adults with Depression (%) (Health of Adults by County (CDC PLACES)): 17.9% vs 18.7%.
More matchups
Other comparisons with San Mateo County, CA or Santa Clara County, CA.