Always dreamed of living in a quiet city in the San Francisco Bay area? You should consider moving to Belmont, CA. Belmont is a city on the San Francisco Peninsula, between San Francisco and San Jose. It was originally settled in 1850 as a stagecoach station but officially incorporated in 1926. The name Belmont originates from the Italian phrase, belle monte, which means beautiful mountain. Today, Belmont is known for its picturesque views of San Francisco Bay and its proximity to Silicon Valley. As a result, Belmont is a great place to live for families and young professionals who work in tech. Here is everything you need to know about living in Belmont.
Table of Contents
Where is Belmont?
Nestled in the heart of San Mateo County, Belmont is located in the San Francisco Bay area of Northern California. It’s situated directly on the San Francisco Bay, between El Camino Real Highway and the Junipero Serra Freeway. It’s bordered by nearby cities and communities such as San Carlos, Foster City, San Mateo, and Highlands Baywood Park.
Belmont is about 22.7 miles to San Francisco and 26.8 miles from San Jose.
Belmont Population and Demographics
The population of Belmont is 28,335, according to the 2020 census, which is a 9.68% increase since 2010, and the population density is 6,119.9 residents per square mile. Several famous residents have called Belmont home, including comedian Dana Carvey and US diplomat Philip C. Habib.
Other Belmont Demographics
- The population is 51% male and 49% female.
- The median age is 40.2 years old.
- The racial and ethnic composition is 49% white, 30% Asian, 12% Hispanic, 1% black, and 5% mixed race.
- The median household income is $178,125 per year, which is 50% higher than the overall Bay area average.
- It’s also a highly educated community, and 97.6% of residents have a high school degree, while 69.2% have a bachelor’s degree.
- The foreign-born population is 29.7%.
Belmont is a very safe community, and the crime rate is only 1,751 per 100,000 residents, 25.4% lower than the rest of the country. The violent crime rate is 192 per 100,000 residents, which is 50.5% lower than the rest of the US, and the property crime rate is 1559 per 100,000 residents, which is 20.4% lower than the national average.
The Belmont Police Department patrols the city and has 44 employees, including 32 officers and 12 civilians.
Cost of Living in Belmont
The cost of living in Belmont is relatively high; however, the abundance of job opportunities makes it manageable. The cost of living index for the San Francisco metro area is 194.1. The COLI is a metric that compares the cost of living in a particular area to the rest of the country, which is represented by 100. That means the cost of living in Belmont is 94.1% higher than in the rest of the US.
According to the Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institute, the average family of four with two adults and two children would need to earn $172,888 per year to afford to live in Belmont.
Typical Belmont Living Expenses
- Inexpensive Restaurant: $20
- Cappuccino: $4.50
- Bottle of Coke: $4.00
- 1 Gallon of Milk: $5.00
- Loaf of Bread: $3.97
- 12 Eggs: $5.00
- 1 pound Chicken: $3.99
- 1 pound Beef: $7.50
- 1 pound Apples: $2.23
- 1 pound White Rice: $2.00
- Average Belmont Utility Bill: $406
Source: Numbeo
The Belmont real estate market is also highly in demand, and property values are typically over seven figures. According to Redfin, the median price of Belmont homes for sale is $1.75 million, which is down by 23.4% since last year, while the median price per square foot is $1,200.
Belmont also has plenty to offer tenants, and the average Belmont, CA, rent is $2,702 per month, according to RentCafe. Prices range from about $2150 for a studio up to $5230 for a three-bedroom.
Belmont Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Belmont
If you’re considering moving to Belmont, you’ll likely want to know where to find the best real estate. Luckily, residents will find many charming Belmont neighborhoods offering friendly neighbors and a high quality of life. Here are the areas to check out.
Cipriani
Cipriani is a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood in southwest Belmont with a median property value of $2 million, offering great schools, walkable streets, and plenty of shopping.
Belmont Heights
Belmont Heights is a quiet neighborhood surrounding Hallmark Park with a median property value of $3.3 million, as well as gorgeous scenery and a central location.
McDougal
McDougal is a peaceful Belmont neighborhood surrounding McDougal Park that has a median property value of $2 million and offers easy access to local schools and nearby attractions.
Belmont Weather & Climate
According to the Koppen classification system, Belmont has a Mediterranean climate, which means long, warm summers and short cool winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically stay within the range of 43°F to 77°F. However, the Belmont winter low can go down to 36°F, and the summer high can get up to 88°F.
The best time to visit Bellmont for warm-weather activities is during June to September. Luckily you don’t have to worry about snow in Belmont. However, it does average about 27 inches of rainfall per year. So if you plan on living in Belmont, pack an umbrella!
Things to Do in Belmont
Residents will find plenty of fun things to do in Belmont and the surrounding areas. For shopping, you should head down to the Hillsdale Shopping Center, the Carlmont Village Shopping Center, or Belmont Village. Here are a few other notable Belmont attractions to check out on the weekend.
Water Dog Lake and Open Space
Water Dog Lake is a city park surrounding a small fishing lake with hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning views of the nearby hills.
2400 Lyall Way &, Lake Road Trail, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 595-7441
Movement Belmont
Movement Belmont is a rock climbing gym located along El Camino Real Highway that offers 19,000 square feet of climbing with 75-foot ropes, as well as yoga and fitness classes.
100 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 591-3030
Filoli Historic Home and Gardens
Located just outside of Belmont, the Filoli Historic Home and Gardens is a historic 16-acre estate with a botanical garden that hosts educational programs and group tours.
86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062 (650) 364-8300
Other Attractions Near Belmont
Belmont has 14 developed parks maintained by the Belmont Parks and Recreation Department. You can find an activity guide with all their community events on their website.
Belmont Restaurants
Residents will also find great restaurants in Belmont, from tapas to New American cuisine. So if you’re looking for a quick bite, here are the best places to eat in Belmont.
CAPO Belmont
Capo Belmont is an upscale eatery serving Greek and Mediterranean-inspired dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
2040 Ralston Ave, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 508-1000
Iberia
Iberia is a Sophisticated tapas bar serving small plates and mouth-watering Spanish cuisine like Paella Iberia and Zarzuela de Mariscos.
740 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 325-8981
Dog Haus
Dog Haus is a local favorite serving handcrafted burgers, hot dogs, and craft beer, with everything from bacon chili dogs to sliders.
1000 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002 (650) 453-3748
Jobs in Belmont
The economy of Belmont employs 14,400, which is a 1.1% increase over the past year. The main industries in Belmont are Scientific and Technological Services, Healthcare and Social assistance, and manufacturing. Most Belmont residents are employed in management occupations, computer and mathematical computer services, or business and financial operations.
Top Employers in Belmont
- Ring Central, Inc
- Autobahn Motors
- Safeway Store
- Volkswagon
- Nikon Precision
According to Payscale, the average salary of an employee in Belmont is $111,000 per year.
Average salaries for common professions in Belmont include:
- Software Engineer: $138,460
- Senior Process Engineer: $111,230
- Software Developer: $120,000
- Senior Marketing Manager: $161,481
- Marketing Director: $119,675
Residents will find many high-paying Belmont jobs, ranging from administrative assistants to FBI agents.
Belmont Schools
The Belmont school district is also top-notch and features some of the most respected educational institutions in the area. Students in K-8 attend schools in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District, which features six elementary schools and one middle school. Most schools in the district have been recognized as California Distinguished Schools, a program that recognizes exemplary schools in the state.
The main public high school in Belmont is Carlmont High School, which is part of the Sequoia Union High School District. According to US News and World Report, Carlmont ranks 74th out of all California High Schools and 547th out of all the high schools in the US. The school maintains a 98% graduation rate, 86% reading proficiency, and 74% mathematics proficiency.
There are also several private schools in Belmont. The Immaculate Heart of Mary School offers pre-K through 8, and Norte Dame High School is a Catholic all-girls college preparatory school.
Notre Dame de Namur University is a private Catholic University in Belmont.
Residents can also stop by the Belmont Branch of the San Mateo Public Library system to take out books or attend community events.
Belmont Statistics and Information
- Belmont County: San Mateo County
- Belmont Area: 4.64 sq mi
- Belmont Zip Code: 94002
- Belmont Area Codes: 650
- Belmont Elevation: 43 ft
- Belmont Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- Closest Airport to Belmont: The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about 10 miles outside of Belmont or a 13-minute drive
Belmont, CA Map
Explore more things to do, restaurants, and amenities with this map of Belmont.
Ready to move to this peaceful city in the heart of Silicon Valley? Trust our reliable team of Belmont movers to make your relocation smooth and stress free. Call 650-284-2931 to request a free quote.