ZIP Code · CA

ZIP 94402

Part of San Mateo, CA

Pop. 25,475·San Mateo County·98th most expensive ZIP in California

Median rent (all units)

$4,073/mo

Year-over-Year

+12.5%

Month-over-Month

+1.6%

vs US Median

+$2,141

Reported rents

Rising (Monthly)

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Most AffordableMost Expensive

ZIP 94402 · $4,073

More expensive than 98% of US ZIP codes · National median $1,932/mo

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Compare your rent to the local median.

Medians by bedroom

Rent by unit size

Studio

$3,120

1 BR

$3,730

2 BR

$4,520

3 BR

$5,770

4 BR+

$5,980

Research median

$4,520/mo

Bedroom estimates are gross rents that include essential utilities (electricity, water, gas, sewer, trash).

Rent trends

12-month history

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Last updated: October 17, 2026

From the history

What the numbers show

Cheapest month to sign

January. Asking rents in ZIP 94402 usually run 1.9% below trend in January and 1.5% above it in July, about $138 a month apart at today's median. Based on 7 years of data.

Compared with the peak

Rent in ZIP 94402 is at its highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2019.

Past year vs. the rest of California

Rent in ZIP 94402 changed +12.5% over the year to September 2026. Across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks, the typical change was +3.2%.

Since before the pandemic

Rent in ZIP 94402 is 27.5% higher than in March 2020. Across the US, rent is up 37.3% over the same stretch.

Recent direction

Rent has risen 24 months in a row, and rose in 12 of the last 12 months.

What a typical income covers

30% of the median household income ($172,522) is $4,313 a month. That covers HUD's Fair Market Rent for up to a 1-bedroom ($3,730); a 2-bedroom is $4,520.

Rank in San Mateo

3rd cheapest of 3 ZIP codes in San Mateo.

Cheaper nearby

ZIP 94062, 8 miles away, rents for 13% less ($3,541/mo), about $6,400 a year in savings.

From Zillow's monthly rent index (ZORI) for ZIP 94402. The seasonal pattern compares Zillow’s seasonally adjusted and unadjusted series. Income is the Census median household income (5-year estimates). Fair Market Rents are HUD’s, which include utilities.

Annual cost

$48,876/yr

At $4,073/mo median

Location

CitySan Mateo

StateCA

CountySan Mateo County

Rent Market Meter

Strong Landlord's Market

Renter's MarketBalancedLandlord's Market

Rents are up 12.5% year-over-year. Expect competition, and move quickly to lock in terms.

Based on rent-price momentum (+12.5% YoY, +1.6% MoM), not inventory.

Demographics

Who lives here

ZIP 94402 (San Mateo, CA) is majority owner-occupied, has a median income above the national average, 68.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Population

25,475

Median income

$172,522

Median age

40.8

Renters

41.6%

Age distribution

21.9%

19.7%

26.9%

19.9%

Under 1821.9%

18–3419.7%

35–5426.9%

55–6411.6%

65+19.9%

Gender

47%

53%

Male47%

Female53%

Race & ethnicity

48.9%

15.7%

29%

White48.9%

Black1.1%

Hispanic15.7%

Asian29%

Other5.3%

Education (25+)

16.5%

68.6%

No HS diploma4.1%

HS diploma10.7%

Some college16.5%

Bachelor's+68.6%

Housing tenure

58.4%

41.6%

Owner58.4%

Renter41.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates

2021 vs 2026

How ZIP 94402 in San Mateo, CA has changed in 5 years

Rent

$2,943 → $4,073

up 38.4%

Income

$170,688 → $172,522

up 1.1%

Population

27,188 → 25,475

down 6.3%

Renter share

36.9% → 41.6%

+4.7 pts

Bachelor's+

68% → 68.6%

+0.6 pts

Median age

40.1 → 40.8

+0.7 yrs

The median rent in ZIP 94402 in San Mateo, CA stood at $2,943 in 2021 and currently runs about $4,073, reflecting a 38.4% increase over the period. On the earnings side, the typical household in ZIP 94402 in San Mateo, CA now reports about $172,522, up from $170,688 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. The population has contracted by 6.3% since 2021, moving from about 27,188 residents to roughly 25,475. Renters now make up 41.6% of households, compared with 36.9% five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and ZIP 94402 in San Mateo, CA reflects that arc in its own way.

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About renting in ZIP 94402

Last updated: October 17, 2026

ZIP code 94402 covers San Mateo, CA. The median rent here is $4,073/mo as of October 2026. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $3,730/mo. A 2-bedroom rents for a median of $4,520/mo.

At 28% of local median household income ($172,522/yr), ZIP 94402 ranks as affordable compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 12.5% over the past year.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much income do you need to rent in ZIP 94402?

To keep rent at or below 30% of gross income, you would need to earn at least $163,000/year (about $78/hour full-time) to afford the median rent of $4,073/mo in ZIP 94402. The local median household income is $172,522/yr, so the typical household meets that bar.

Is rent going up or down in ZIP 94402?

Rent in ZIP 94402 has risen 12.5% over the past year as of September 2026. That is the highest level since Zillow's records here began in June 2019.

When is the cheapest time to rent in ZIP 94402?

Asking rents in ZIP 94402 are usually lowest in January, about 1.9% below their yearly trend, and highest in July, about 1.5% above it. At today's median that is a gap of roughly $138 a month. This pattern comes from 7 years of Zillow rent data.

How does ZIP 94402 compare to other ZIPs in California?

ZIP 94402 is one of the pricier among California ZIP codes for rent, ranking #98 of 898 at $4,073/mo. Over the year to September 2026, rent in ZIP 94402 changed +12.5%, against a typical +3.2% across the 819 California ZIP codes Zillow tracks.