San Carlos, CA

California · Metropolitan Area

San Carlos is a small city in California with a population of 29,797. Residents earn $233,333 per year, which is 210% above the national average.

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
29,797 Population 5,508/sq mi density
$233,333 Median Income $126,389 per capita
$2,000,001 Home Value $2,378,551 Zillow
$2,802 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.8 / 5.0
$233,333 median income, 3.3% unemployment
D
Affordability
1.8 / 5.0
$2,000,001 home value, $2,802/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
68.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $233,333
210% higher than US avg
Home Value $2,000,001
609% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 68.1%
102% higher than US avg
Median Rent $2,802
141% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 21.4%
33% lower than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.8%
85% lower than US avg

How San Carlos Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population29,797
Median Age41.6 yrs
Density5,508/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

A+
Median Income$233,333
Per Capita$126,389
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty1.8%
County GDP$217,018M
Commute25 min

Housing

D
Home Value$2,000,001
Rent$2,802
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$2,378,551

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity21.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.1%
Heart Disease3.8%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI48 (Good)
Rain19.0 in/yr
Elevation100 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+68.1%
High School+96.7%
School Score4.69

Community

2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute25 min
EV Stations23
Libraries34

Is San Carlos a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, San Carlos receives an overall livability score of 3.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. San Carlos offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in San Carlos is $233,333, which is significantly higher than the national average — 210% above $75,149. This places San Carlos among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in San Carlos is $2,000,001, making it a premium housing market at 609% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $2,802 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 8.6x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

San Carlos is a highly educated community — 68.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.7/10.

Climate & Weather

San Carlos enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

San Carlos has a population of 29,797 with a density of 5,508 people per square mile. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (59.4%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

29,797
Total Population
5,508
People / sq mi
41.6yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
5.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

San Carlos vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only74.1%
6% below US avg
Spanish25.9%
93% above US avg

Social Characteristics

San Carlos vs U.S. Average

The median household income in San Carlos is $233,333, which is 210% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: San Carlos vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$233,333
210% above US avg
Per Capita Income$126,389
Avg Weekly Wage$3,778
IRS Avg AGI$232,794

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.8%
85% below US avg
Establishments (County)31,186
County GDP$217,018M

Business (County)

Restaurants2,143
Healthcare2,617
Retail1,916
Manufacturing487

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.4 min
Work from Home32.5%

Walkability

The median home value in San Carlos is $2,000,001, 609% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $2,802 (141% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $2,378,551.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$2,000,001
609% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$2,378,551
Median List Price$2,500,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$2,500,000
$/Sq Ft$1,310
Homes Sold17
Sale-to-List Ratio106.0%
Price Drops12.9%
Inventory31

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$2,802
141% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,878

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,513
1 Bedroom$1,647
2 Bedrooms$2,053
3 Bedrooms$2,752
4 Bedrooms$3,165

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$17,586
402% above US avg
Effective Rate0.88%
In San Carlos, 21.4% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 21.1% report depression. 14.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: San Carlos vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity21.4%
33% below US avg
Diabetes6.9%
Heart Disease3.8%
High Blood Pressure24.0%
Asthma9.1%
COPD3.1%
Stroke2.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.3%
Physical Inactivity14.3%
Depression21.1%
Mental Distress13.9%
Physical Distress9.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.8%
Checkup Rate69.8%
Premature Death4,006/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment9.6/10
Exercise Access99.5%
Healthcare Facilities2,617

Crime Rates: San Carlos vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Safety Score

San Carlos has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation is 19.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average59.4°F
10% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall19.0 inches
50% below US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation100 ft (30 m)
Area5.4 sq mi (14.0 km²)
Population Density5,508/sq mi
Coordinates37.4990°N, 122.2676°W
County FIPS06081
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 68.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (102% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 50.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 23.2%
D 73.5%

Winner: Democrat by 50.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+68.1%
102% above US avg
High School+96.7%
School Test Score4.69
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density5,508/sq mi
Total Area5.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations23
Alt Fuel Stations25
Public Libraries34
Healthcare Facilities2,617
Restaurants2,143
Retail Stores1,916

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)43

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.4 min
Work from Home32.5%

Nearby Cities

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