Ernest Coxhead House · Photo: Eugene Zelenko · CC BY-SA 4.0San Mateo spent more per resident in 2022 than 92% of similar cities
San Mateo’s city government spent $249.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $2,437 per resident.
What stands out about how San Mateo is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
Who’s in charge in San Mateo
From public records with a current term; a name is hidden the day its term ends.
Council members and agencies: cityofsanmateo.org ↗
San Mateo’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on cityofsanmateo.org ↗.
About $2,437 per resident a year, or $6.68 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: police, at 21%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
$2,437 per resident in 2022: more than 92% of them
San Mateo’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($2,437 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 59 California cities of 100,000–249,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,350, and the middle half spent $1,086–$1,943. San Mateo spent more than 92% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($26.3 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
California cities of 100,000–249,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; San Mateo itself left out).
No trend yet
San Mateo reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
full-time in March 2025, up from 361 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.
Typical bills top $10,000 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at San Mateo’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to San Mateo’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in San Mateo →
One full-time city employee for every 266 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (102,398).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
San Mateo Union High School District
San Mateo’s high school district, shared with Burlingame, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Foster City, San Bruno. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $26,598 per pupil, $14,561 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
California districts overall: 36% local, 52% state, 11% federal.
San Mateo-Foster City Elementary School District · $21,975 per pupil
Sequoia Union High School District · $27,344 per pupil
Belmont-Redwood Shores Elementary School District · $15,591 per pupil
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
San Mateo’s votes are counted by county
California reports official results by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for San Mateo alone, and we don’t estimate them. These are San Mateo County’s results.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat73.5%242,834 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican23.2%76,515 votesOthers: 3.3% (10,929 votes).
Most votes in San Mateo County: Kamala D Harris
California: Harris 58.5%, Trump 38.3%
100% of San Mateo lies in San Mateo County. Every 2024 race in San Mateo County is on the county’s page.
San Mateo County’s 2024 results →Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for San Mateo.
- 1Your cityMayorAdam Loraineas listed by Open States, October 9, 2026
- 2California AssemblyState representatives
- 3California SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of California
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How San Mateo compares with the towns next door
San Mateo spent $2,437 per resident in 2022; the 4 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $1,778 to $4,179. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Foster City | $1,778 | $10,000+ |
| Belmont | $2,596 | $10,000+ |
| Burlingame | $2,781 | $10,000+ |
| Hillsborough | $4,179 | $10,000+ |
| San Mateo | $2,437 | $10,000+ |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach San Mateo’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about San Mateo’s government
How much does San Mateo spend per resident?
About $2,437 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $2,437 was more than 92% of 59 California cities of 100,000–249,999 that don’t run their own schools.
Who is the mayor of San Mateo?
Adam Loraine, as listed by Open States (checked October 9, 2026). The council and agencies are listed on cityofsanmateo.org.
How did San Mateo vote in 2024?
California counts votes by county and precinct, not by city, so there are no official results for San Mateo alone. San Mateo County, where 100% of San Mateo lies, voted Harris 73.5%, Trump 23.2% for president; its page has every race.
How many people work for San Mateo?
385 full-time and 43 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $5.9M (about $70.6M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents San Mateo in the state legislature?
State Senate District 13 (Josh Becker) and Assembly District 21 (Diane Papan). The Assembly district also covers 13 other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about San Mateo’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →