Considering relocating to the Bay Area? Burlingame, CA, a small city right outside San Mateo, is one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets. This charming and historic city may be small but it has so much to offer, including a short commute to South San Francisco, a growing economy, and beautiful scenery. Burlingame is known for its affluence, eucalyptus trees, walkable downtown, and great public schools. Moving to Burlingame may be the right move for you if you love the outdoors and want a safe city to raise kids. Here’s why you’ll love living in Burlingame, California.
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Burlingame, CA Population & Demographics: Who Lives in Burlingame?
The city of Burlingame, CA has a population of 30,400. The city is located on the shore of San Francisco Bay on the San Francisco Peninsula about 2 miles northwest of San Mateo and 17 miles south of San Francisco. There’s a total area of 6.04 square miles, 27% of which is water. Burlingame is located in area code 650 and zip codes 94010, 94011, and 94012.
Burlingame is served by the Burlingame Caltrain station, the Burlingame Trolley, SamTrans buses, and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), which has a final stop in Millbrae just outside the city.
Burlingame may be small, but the city is definitely something special. This affluent community has a median household income of $118,000 and a median age of 40.4, about four years older than the California average. The racial and ethnic composition of Burlingame is 60.5% non-Hispanic white, 20% Asian, 14% Hispanic of any race, 1% African American or Black, and 3.4% two or more races.
Concerned about the crime rate after moving to Burlingame? Burlingame is a very safe city to live in. The city has a violent crime rate of 51% below the national average.
Burlingame Climate
Burlingame has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate with enjoyably dry, warm summers. The average monthly temperature never gets above 72 degrees. You’ll only get about 23 inches of rain every year and no snow. Burlingame has an average of 256 days of sun per year!
In January, the coldest month of the year, the average temperature is around 42 degrees, still warmer than most of California. There are only 7 days a year when the temperature gets over 90 degrees, cooler than summers in most of the state.
Burlingame, CA Schools & Higher Education
While living in Burlingame, you’ll be served by two public school systems: the Burlingame School District which runs the elementary and middle schools and San Mateo Union High School District which runs Burlingame High School. The Burlingame School District is one of the top-rated districts in all of California with four elementary schools scoring between 880 and 925 with a 9 or 10 rating from the California Department of Education.
Considering private schools? Burlingame is home to the historic Mercy High School, a girls’ private Catholic high school, in the famous Kohl Mansion. The city is also home to St. Catherine of Siena School and Our Lady of Angels School.
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If you’re considering higher education after moving to Burlingame, you’ll find several colleges within 15 miles like College of San Mateo, Notre Dame de Namur University, San Francisco State University, and the College of Alameda.
Burlingame Jobs & Economy
For decades, the Burlingame economy mostly revolved around the airport with airport service businesses like LSG/Sky Chefs, Inc. operating in the area. Burlingame is also known for its chocolate and candy companies like the See’s Candies lollipop factory and Guittard Chocolate.
Today, Burlingame’s economy is more diverse and it’s been attracting a number of biotech companies thanks to its short commute to South San Francisco. Several biotech companies have offices in the city like Collaborative Drug Discovery (CDD), Vector Labs, and Phoenix Pharmaceuticals. Many tech companies also have Burlingame offices like CrowdStar, Color Genomics, Zecco, and DataStax.
Major employers in Burlingame include:
- Virgin America Airlines
- Lalouh Marketing
- Guittard Chocolate Company
- Mills-Peninsula Medical Services
- Apple
- Tesla Motors
- Fiat of Burlingame
The average salary in Burlingame is $76,000 with wages trending upward. The average hourly rate is $23.03. Here’s what you can expect to earn in common careers:
- Administrative assistant: $22/hour
- Registered nurse (RN): $61/hour
- Office manager: $27/hour
- Software engineer: $118k
- Executive assistant: $58k
What Is the Cost of Living in Burlingame, CA?
Is Burlingame, CA expensive? That’s an important question to ask as you consider moving to Burlingame. What is the cost of living in Burlingame, CA? The Burlingame cost of living index is 380. That makes it 3.8x more expensive than the national average. California, by comparison, has a cost of living index of 150.
Groceries and transportation are more expensive than the national average, but Burlingame utilities are actually below average. The biggest factor affecting the Burlingame cost of living? Housing, which is almost ten times higher than the U.S. average.
The median home price in Burlingame is $1.59 million. That compares to the U.S. average home price of $229,000. Living in Burlingame is definitely expensive so make sure you check Burlingame, CA homes for sale ahead of your relocation to get an idea of what your budget will buy you.
Great Burlingame, CA Neighborhoods
What type of lifestyle do you want while living in Burlingame, CA? Do you want to settle into a quiet and lush neighborhood with plenty of space? Do you love the thought of walking to your favorite restaurants and shops every afternoon? Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Burlingame to explore!
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Want to be near the action? You’ll love the small neighborhood of Burlingame Park or Old Burlingame. You’ll be within walking distance of the boutiques and restaurants on Burlingame Avenue. You’ll also enjoy larger lot sizes than most neighborhoods in the city. Many of the homes in Burlingame Park have a traditional design with lots of modern rebuilds that follow the city’s classic style.
Looking for a family-friendly neighborhood in Burlingame? It’s hard to compare to the charm of Burlingame Village. It’s also one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Burlingame. The community is centered around Village Park with a preschool, basketball court, and open green space. It’s close to the BART station and has a good mix of starter homes with prices starting around $1.3 million.
If you check Millbrae just outside the city limits, you’ll find Mills Estates. This desirable Burlingame neighborhood features homes built in the 1960s with open floor plans and lots of square footage. The neighborhood has a more modern feel than the older style common in Burlingame. Some homes here go for under $2 million but the median home price in the neighborhood is $2.45 million.
Top Things to Do in Burlingame, CA
Ready to see the exciting things to do in Burlingame to fill up your weekends? From great things to do in Burlingame on a date to neat Burlingame attractions for kids, there’s always something happening in the city.
There are two shopping districts in Burlingame along Broadway and Burlingame Avenue with plenty of convenient shopping. You’ll enjoy shopping at Woodlake Shopping Center, Burlingame Plaza, CVS, Safeway, and Mollie Stone’s Markets. If that’s not enough, you can make the short 1.9-mile drive from Burlingame, CA to San Mateo, CA for even more attractions and shopping opportunities.
Here are a couple of the top Burlingame activities you’ll love.
Bayside Park
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Maintained by Burlingame Parks and Recreation Department, Bayfront Park is one of the crown jewels of Burlingame, CA. This waterfront park boasts amazing bay views plus a dog park, athletic fields, and hiking trails along the coast.
Bayside Park, 1125 Airport Blvd, Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 558-7300
Kohl Mansion
Kohl Mansion is an iconic building in Burlingame and one of the Peninsula’s most recognizable architectural treasures. Built in 1915, the estate is today home to Mercy High School and it’s a popular wedding and event venue. There are also fun social events throughout the year!
Kohl Mansion, 2750 Adeline Dr, Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 762-1137
Additional major attractions in Burlingame:
Best Restaurants in Burlingame
Burlingame is home to tons of top-rated restaurants running the gamut from lobster and steak to cozy cafes and Californian cuisine. Here are some of the top Burlingame restaurants you’ll be visiting again and again.
New England Lobster Market & Eatery
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The market specializes in lobster and does it well. Stop in for fresh or frozen lobster to take home or sit down for lobster rolls, sandwiches, and tacos.
New England Lobster Market & Eatery, 824 Cowan Rd, Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 443-1559
Mingalaba Restaurant
This restaurant may look modest from the outside but it’s home to award-winning Burmese cuisine you’ll fall in love with. Mingalaba Restaurant is one of the best things to do in Burlingame on a date or a special occasion.
Mingalaba Restaurant, 1213 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010 (650) 343-3228
Living in Burlingame Tips
- Enjoy coastal living at its finest with tons of fun things to do in Burlingame
- Find career opportunities in tech and biotech in the city or nearby South San Francisco and San Mateo
- Benefit from one of California’s best public school districts
Have you settled on relocating to Burlingame, CA? Get ready for an amazing quality of life and beautiful scenery! Ahead of moving day, call the top-rated Burlingame movers at AMS Relocation for a free moving estimate and the customer service you deserve.
