2025 Compare Cities Education:
San Mateo, CA vs Palo Alto, CA

Change Cities
Highlights
- Palo Alto spends 8.4% less per student than San Mateo.
- The Student Teacher Ratio is 9.1% higher in Palo Alto than in San Mateo. (lower means fewer students in each classroom).
- Palo Alto had 5.6% more residents who had graduated High School compared to San Mateo
 San Mateo, CAPalo Alto, CAUnited States
 Expend. per Student  Unlock$18,401$15,905
 Educ. Expend. per Student$15,457  Unlock$13,142
 Instr. Expend. per Student  Unlock$8,804$7,999
 Pupil/Teacher Ratio19.79  Unlock16.23
 Students per Librarian  Unlock65284573
 Students per Counselor431  Unlock530
 Grade School Educ.  Unlock1.8%4.8%
 Some High School Educ.3.2%  Unlock6.3%
 High School Educ.  Unlock97.0%88.9%
 Some College Educ.14.9%  Unlock20.0%
 2 yr College Grad.  Unlock3.2%8.7%
 4 yr College Grad.58.2%  Unlock33.7%
 Masters Grad.  Unlock30.3%9.3%
 Professional Degree3.8%  Unlock2.2%
 Doctorate Degree  Unlock16.0%1.5%
Reviews for San Mateo    12 Reviews

I have lived in San Mateo since 2013. It has seen tremendous growth, lots of new restaurants which have become progressively more high-end though there is ample  More

   |    Reply

I'm a native of California. I have lived in the southern part of the state and the northern part of the state for most of my life. I have spent the last 29 years in  More

   |    Reply

Over 15 years ago

San Mateo has a diverse mix of people, a pleasant climate, a very pleasant downtown park with lots going on, and pretty much whatever you need handy. It's not far to  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of San Mateo

Reviews for Palo Alto    8 Reviews

The Bay Area in general, but Palo Alto specifically provides many of the qualities sought by many; the climate is beautiful, there is access to cultural and recreational  More

   |    Reply

Over 17 years ago

Very  More

   |    Reply

Over 18 years ago

VTA and SamsTrans and Caltrain all provide good service and most times frequency of service is  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Palo Alto


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.