52 facilities, but not cheap. San Mateo is one of the pricier markets in California. Safety scores are about average for the area.
These scores are part of the FYI Safety Scorecard, California's independent safety rating for assisted living. See how San Mateo compares statewide.
6 beds · $7,000/mo
Best safety record in San Mateo. Small home, more personal attention. Offers memory care.
6 beds · $6,788/mo
Solid inspection record. Small home, more personal attention. Offers memory care.
6 beds · $2,820/mo
Above-average safety. Small home, more personal attention. Lower cost than most in the area.
96 beds · $7,813/mo
Above-average safety. Large community with more amenities. On the pricier end.
6 beds · $8,000/mo
Above-average safety. Small home, more personal attention. On the pricier end.
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Mostly smaller, home-like settings. San Mateo has 52 licensed assisted living facilities. The majority (45) are residential care homes with 6 beds or fewer, so if you're looking for something intimate where your parent isn't one of dozens of residents, you'll have options. There are also 3 larger communities with 50+ beds if you prefer structured activities, on-site dining, and more staff on hand.
Expect to pay around $6,430/mo. That's about 22% more than the statewide average of $5,291/mo, so this isn't the cheapest market. Prices range from $2,417 up to $8,500 depending on the facility, room type, and level of care. 46 of 52 facilities publish pricing, which is better transparency than most areas.
Look at the safety scores before you visit. The average score in San Mateo is 7.2 out of 10. That's below the statewide average of 7.8, so take extra time reviewing individual facility scores before visiting. Some places here have rougher inspection histories than others. Our scores come from real California state inspection data, not self-reported reviews.
A few things that might narrow your search. None of the facilities here currently accept Medi-Cal, so you'll need to look at neighboring cities if that's a factor. 8 facilities offer specialized memory care if that's what you need.
Start by comparing facilities on what actually matters: safety record, pricing, care types, and size. We list all 52 licensed assisted living facilities in San Mateo with their FYI Safety Scores, drawn from California state inspection data, plus any verified pricing, so you can narrow the list before you ever pick up the phone. Many placement services are paid referral agents who only show you facilities that pay them. Here you can compare every licensed option directly.
It's on the pricier side. The average in San Mateo is $6,430/mo, about 22% more than the typical California city we track. If budget is a concern, it's worth looking at neighboring cities too.
Safety varies a lot by facility. Of the 52 facilities in San Mateo with a FYI Safety Score, 17 land in the Good or Excellent range and 9 fall into the Poor or Severe range. Across the 52 facilities with an inspection record, 79% have zero substantiated complaints. These scores come from California state inspection data, not online reviews, so they reflect what regulators actually documented.
Judy'S Home for the Elderly currently has the highest safety score in San Mateo at 9.3 out of 10. These scores are based on real state inspection data, not online reviews. We'd recommend checking individual scores for any facility you're considering, since they can vary a lot even within the same city.
Among our top-rated facilities, Ajaviniar Home Care Services Llc starts at $2,820/mo, and it has a safety score of 7.7. Across all 52 facilities in the area, published prices range from $2,417 to $8,500/mo. Keep in mind that the actual cost depends on the level of care needed.
Unfortunately, none of the facilities we track in San Mateo currently participate in the ALW program. That can change, so it's worth calling facilities directly. You might also look at neighboring cities where Medi-Cal acceptance is more common.
Yes, 8 facilities in San Mateo offer specialized memory care for residents with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Among the top-rated: Judy'S Home for the Elderly and Garden Court at the Village. Memory care units typically have additional security measures and staff trained in dementia care, so expect higher pricing than standard assisted living.
Every licensed facility we track in San Mateo, ranked by our recommendation. Each links to its full safety record, pricing, and details.