City · 11,099 residents · San Mateo County, California
Hillsborough, California
In Hillsborough, a typical home is worth $2,000,001 and typical rent is $3,501 a month. Compared with all of San Mateo County, typical household income is 57% higher, the typical home value is 28% higher, and the share of households that own their home is 35 points higher.
Typical home value from Zillow, September 2021 to September 2026: from $4,766,514 to $5,532,259.
From Zillow (ZHVI), September 2026. The Census figures above are 5-year averages (2020–2024).
Hillsborough is in San Mateo County. The FHA loan limit ($1,249,125 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of San Mateo County. See the county
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
1
Hillsborough has the highest typical rent of the 648 cities in California with more than 5,000 people: $3,501.
2
Hillsborough has the highest typical household income of the 659 cities in California with more than 5,000 people: $250,001.
3
Hillsborough has the highest typical home value of the 654 cities in California with more than 5,000 people: $2,000,001.
4
93% of households in Hillsborough own their home, against 58% in San Mateo County.
5
According to Zillow, in the 12 months to September 2026 the typical home value in Hillsborough rose 13.4%; in California, it rose 0.6%.
6
Nearby, in Burlingame, the typical rent is $2,785: 20% less than in Hillsborough ($3,501).
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024); Zillow (September 2026 data). Zillow data
The homes here
Housing in Hillsborough
What homes there are in Hillsborough, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).
What homes there are
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Kind of home
Detached houseAttached houseBuilding of 2 to 4Apartments (5 or more)Mobile homeBoat, RV and otherUnreliable estimate
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
California
United States
Kind of home: Hillsborough and its comparisons
Measure
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
California
United States
Detached house
99%
55%
57%
61%
Attached house
Unreliable estimate
9%
7%
6%
Building of 2 to 4
Unreliable estimate
6%
8%
8%
Apartments (5 or more)
Unreliable estimate
29%
24%
19%
Mobile home
Unreliable estimate
1%
4%
6%
Boat, RV and other
Unreliable estimate
Unreliable estimate
0%
0%
In Hillsborough, 10 in 10 homes are single-family detached houses; in San Mateo County, 6.
Year built
Before 19601960–19791980–19992000–20092010 or laterUnreliable estimate
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
California
United States
Year built: Hillsborough and its comparisons
Measure
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
California
United States
Before 1960
36%
41%
27%
26%
1960–1979
37%
32%
29%
24%
1980–1999
15%
15%
25%
25%
2000–2009
7%
6%
11%
14%
2010 or later
Unreliable estimate
7%
8%
11%
Homes in Hillsborough are newer: the typical year built is 1970; in San Mateo County, 1966.
Homes in Hillsborough are bigger: 97% have 3 bedrooms or more; in San Mateo County, 53%.
What it costs here
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
Value of owner-occupied homes
Unreliable estimate
Under $100KUnreliable
$100K–$200KUnreliable
$200K–$300KUnreliable
$300K–$500KUnreliable
$500K–$750KUnreliable
$750K–$1MUnreliable
$1M or more96%
Value of owner-occupied homes: Hillsborough and its comparisons
Measure
Hillsborough
Under $100K
Unreliable estimate
$100K–$200K
Unreliable estimate
$200K–$300K
Unreliable
$300K–$500K
Unreliable estimate
$500K–$750K
Unreliable estimate
$750K–$1M
Unreliable estimate
$1M or more
96%
Monthly rent with utilities
Unreliable estimate
Under $500Unreliable
$500–$999Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499Unreliable
$1,500–$1,999Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499Unreliable
$2,500–$2,999Unreliable
$3,000 or more73%
Monthly rent with utilities: Hillsborough and its comparisons
Measure
Hillsborough
Under $500
Unreliable
$500–$999
Unreliable
$1,000–$1,499
Unreliable estimate
$1,500–$1,999
Unreliable
$2,000–$2,499
Unreliable estimate
$2,500–$2,999
Unreliable
$3,000 or more
73%
Owners with a mortgage
64%
San Mateo County: 66%
How people live
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024
How people live: Hillsborough and its comparisons
Measure
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
California
United States
Rental vacancy
Unreliable estimate
8.5%
4.2%
5.5%
Homeowner vacancy
Unreliable estimate
0.7%
0.8%
0.9%
More than one person per room
Unreliable estimate
7.5%
8.2%
3.4%
People per household
3.07
2.76
2.84
2.53
Drive alone
52%
57%
66%
69%
Carpool
Unreliable estimate
9%
10%
9%
Public transit
Unreliable estimate
5%
3%
3%
Walk or bike
Unreliable estimate
4%
3%
3%
Work from home
36%
24%
17%
15%
Other means
Unreliable estimate
2%
2%
2%
Typical commute
Unreliable estimate
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
20 to 29 minutes
More people live in each home here: 3.07 on average, against 2.76 in San Mateo County.
In Hillsborough, 36% of workers work from home, more than in San Mateo County (24%).
Do the math
What would you pay each month for a home in Hillsborough?
A typical home costs more than the typical income allows
We start with a typical home in Hillsborough, worth $2,000,001, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 78% of the typical household income in Hillsborough, which is $250,001 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $693,267 a year. Note: at that price the loan is above the FHA limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125), so FHA would not insure it; the payment is only a reference.
The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of San Mateo County.
Change the price, the down payment or the loan: the payment updates right away.
Your numbers
Local data
$
Starts at the typical home value in Hillsborough. Change it to the price you have in mind.
Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.
Down payment
%
That is $70,000 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.
This loan usually requires at least 3.5% down.
This week's average ± a quarter or half point.
National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.
Adjust advanced details⌄
Estimated monthly payment
Local data
$16,176
at 7.18% · 30 years
Loan amount
$1,963,776
Total interest
$2,825,413
Paid off in
November 2056
Includes $33,775 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Does it fit the income?
Comfortable
up to $5,833 a month
Tight
$5,833 to $7,500 a month
Hard
more than $7,500 a month
Your payment · 78%
Compared with the typical household income in Hillsborough ($250,001 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.
Monthly payment breakdown
Principal & interest
$13,303
Property tax
$833
Home insurance
$833
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)
$1,206
This loan is over the FHA limit
You'd borrow $1,930,001, but the FHA limit for a one-unit home in Hillsborough is $1,249,125. You'd need a bigger down payment or a different loan.
You need at least $70,000 for the down payment, plus closing costs.
This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.
Total monthly payment $16,176; principal and interest $13,303.
The city and its county
Hillsborough and San Mateo County
Hillsborough is in San Mateo County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).
Hillsborough
Map of San Mateo County, California, with Hillsborough marked. Around it, the neighboring counties.
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
Other cities with a page
Hillsborough's own numbers
Typical home value
$2,000,001
Typical monthly rent
$3,501
Typical yearly household income
$250,001
Households that own their home
93%
Effective property tax rate
0.5%
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).
Numbers for all of San Mateo County
FHA limit, one-unit home
$1,249,125
Conventional limit, one unit
$1,249,125
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$3,697
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+23%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
3.9%
HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.
Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of San Mateo County.
A typical home in Hillsborough is worth $2,000,001: 28% above the county and 172% above California. With the typical household income in Hillsborough ($250,001 a year), a typical home costs 8.0 times what the household earns in a year.
Years of income to pay for a typical home
The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.
Hillsborough8.0 years
San Mateo9.8 years
California7.4 years
United States4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024
How prices have changed in San Mateo County
According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in San Mateo County rose 49% in the 10 years through 2025.
FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of San Mateo County.
Yearly change in FHFA’s price index in San Mateo County, 2016 to 2025
2016: +11.3% +11.3% 2016
2017: +3.9% +3.9% 2017
2018: +11.3% +11.3% 2018
2019: −0.3% −0.3% 2019
2020: −5.2% −5.2% 2020
2021: +1.0% +1.0% 2021
2022: +13.6% +13.6% 2022
2023: +5.3% +5.3% 2023
2024: +2.0% +2.0% 2024
2025: −0.6% −0.6% 2025
Change in FHFA’s price index in San Mateo County, California and the United States
Period
County
California
U.S.
Last year (2025)
−0.6%
+0.8%
+2.9%
5 years (2020–2025)
+23%
+40%
+47%
10 years (2015–2025)
+49%
+80%
+85%
The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data
Hillsborough next to San Mateo County, California and the U.S.
Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.
Typical home value
Hillsborough$2,000,001
San Mateo$1,559,600
California$734,700
United States$332,700
Typical monthly rent
Hillsborough$3,501
San Mateo$2,922
California$2,036
United States$1,413
Typical yearly household income
Hillsborough$250,001
San Mateo$158,855
California$99,122
United States$80,734
See the full table
Hillsborough next to San Mateo County and California
Measure
Hillsborough
San Mateo County
California
U.S.
Typical home value
$2,000,001 ▲28% above the county
$1,559,600
$734,700
$332,700
Typical monthly rent
$3,501 ▲20% above the county
$2,922
$2,036
$1,413
Typical yearly household income
$250,001 ▲57% above the county
$158,855
$99,122
$80,734
Households that own their home
93% ▲35 points above the county
58%
56%
65%
Typical yearly property tax
$10,001 ▲5% above the county
$9,519
$5,124
$3,119
Effective property tax rate
0.5% ▼0.11 points below the county
0.61%
0.7%
0.94%
“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below San Mateo County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Hillsborough
For a typical $2,000,001 home in Hillsborough, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Hillsborough's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.
FHA, 3.5% down$16,176a month
Above the FHA limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125)
Down payment
$70,000
Cash to close
$130,000
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
FHA MIP · $1,206
Conventional, 5% down$15,488a month
Above the conventional limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125): it would be a "jumbo" loan
Down payment
$100,000
Cash to close
$160,000
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
PMI · $950
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI$12,506a month
Above the conventional limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125): it would be a "jumbo" loan
Down payment
$400,000
Cash to close
$460,000
Rate
7.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
ITIN, 15% down (example)$14,355a month
Down payment
$300,000
Cash to close
$360,000
Rate
8.18%
Mortgage insurance
None
Four ways to pay for a typical home in Hillsborough
Loan
Monthly payment
Down payment
Loan amount
Rate
Mortgage insurance
Cash to close
Minimum score
FHA, 3.5% down Above the FHA limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125)
$16,176
$70,000
$1,963,776
7.18%
FHA MIP · $1,206
$130,000
580
Conventional, 5% down Above the conventional limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125): it would be a "jumbo" loan
$15,488
$100,000
$1,900,001
7.18%
PMI · $950
$160,000
620*
Conventional, 20% down, no PMI Above the conventional limit for San Mateo County ($1,249,125): it would be a "jumbo" loan
$12,506
$400,000
$1,600,001
7.18%
None
$460,000
620*
ITIN, 15% down (example)
$14,355
$300,000
$1,700,001
8.18%
None
$360,000
Set by the lender
Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.
Typical rent in Hillsborough is $3,501 a month: 20% above the county.
HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of San Mateo County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($3,697 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $71.10 an hour working full time.
What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.
HUD fair market rent in San Mateo County (Fiscal year 2027)
Size
Fair rent a month
Hourly wage
Yearly income
Studio
$2,574
$49.50
$102,960
1 bedroom
$3,003
$57.75
$120,120
2 bedrooms
$3,697
$71.10
$147,880
3 bedrooms
$4,832
$92.92
$193,280
4 bedrooms
$5,439
$104.60
$217,560
Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
Fair market rent by ZIP code in Hillsborough
HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Hillsborough is in ZIP code 94010.
For 2 bedrooms it is $3,880: $183 more than the fair market rent for San Mateo County ($3,697).
Fair market rent by ZIP code and size in Hillsborough, fiscal year 2027.
ZIP code
Studio
1 bd
2 bd
3 bd
4 bd
94010
$2,700
$3,150
$3,880
$5,070
$5,710
ZIP code2 bd3 bd
94010 $3,880$5,070
1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Hillsborough when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD)Fiscal year 2027Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship fileData from 2020 dataCensus Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (external site)
You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.
We found no HUD-approved agencies with an office in San Mateo County. The nearest ones are below; many serve by phone or online.
No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Hillsborough or San Mateo County. The ones below are statewide in California: they work in Hillsborough the same as in the rest of the state.
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in California.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA down payment loan for first-generation buyers in California; when you sell, you repay the loan plus a share of the home's appreciation.Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
CalHFA second loan with deferred payments for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers who use the CalPLUS Access mortgage (FHA or conventional).Offered by California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA).
The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Hillsborough, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.
BS
Balance-SF 3rd Street
5172 3rd St, San Francisco · 12 miles away · Spanish
No legal help resource on our list is for Hillsborough or San Mateo County in particular.
If you have a problem with your landlord, an eviction notice or a scam, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) search shows the free legal aid offices that serve your area.
Short answers with the numbers for Hillsborough and all of San Mateo County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.
How much does a typical home cost in Hillsborough?
The typical home value in Hillsborough is $2,000,001, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in San Mateo County it is $1,559,600.
How much does it cost to rent in Hillsborough?
Typical rent in Hillsborough is $3,501 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in San Mateo County is $3,697.
What is the FHA loan limit in Hillsborough?
Hillsborough uses the FHA limit for all of San Mateo County (2026): $1,249,125 for a one-unit home and $2,402,625 for a four-unit home.
How much property tax do owners pay in Hillsborough?
The typical homeowner in Hillsborough pays $10,001 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 0.5% of the home’s value; in San Mateo County, the rate is 0.61%.
Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Hillsborough?
We found no HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in San Mateo County; the nearest ones are on this page. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.
