Curious what living in Colma’s actually like? Here’s the deal – it’s the San Francisco Bay Area’s best-kept secret. You get easy San Francisco access without the insane prices or constant chaos, and you’re somewhere with real character instead of just another cookie-cutter suburb.
Yeah, they call it “The City of the Silent” with the humorous motto because of all the cemeteries, but those living in Colma CA (no pun intended) have it pretty good. Living in Colma CA puts you 8 miles from downtown SF, surrounded by amazing food from every culture you can imagine, and in a place where people actually know each other’s names.
If you’re planning a Bay Area move, Colma movers at AMS Relocation get how unique Colma is and can make your transition smooth. They know the area and won’t treat your move like just another job. Want to know why more people are discovering what locals have known all along? Let’s explore what makes this small town with big-city access so special.
Where Is Colma CA?
Living in Colma CA puts you in a perfect spot where you can get Bay Area access without Bay Area chaos. Located in Northern California, Colma is in San Mateo County, just 11 miles south of downtown SF, so you can work in the city but live somewhere way more chill.
You’re surrounded by Daly City, South San Francisco, and those living in Brisbane, which means tons of different food and shopping options right next door. Plus, I-280 and Highway 101 make getting anywhere pretty easy when living in Colma CA
The location’s great for weekend stuff when living in Colma CA – you’re about 68 miles from Napa Valley and 22 miles from Half Moon Bay. Basically, you’ve got wine country, beaches, and the city all within easy reach.
Transit-wise, public transportation via SamTrans buses connect you to BART stations in Daly City and South San Francisco, so getting to SF or Silicon Valley without driving is totally doable. Living in Colma CA gives you peaceful small-town living with world-class city access.
Colma Population & Demographics
Here’s the wild claim to fame about living in Colma CA – only about 1,441 people actually live there, but there are roughly 1.5 million people buried in its 17 cemeteries. The dead literally outnumber the living by nearly a thousand to one. This whole thing started in the early 1900s when San Francisco said no more burials in the city due to overcrowding and concerns about mass graves, so everyone ended up in Colma.
For such a tiny place, living in Colma CA means being part of an incredibly diverse community. About 48% identify as Hispanic or Latino, 25% are Asian, and around 20% are White. You’ve got 3% Black, 3% multiracial, and less than 1% Pacific Islander. With so few people, even one family moving in or out can shift those percentages, but the bottom line is that living in Colma CA means packing a lot of different cultures into a very small space.
Colma Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 50% male, 50% female
- Median age: 42.2 years
- Median household income: $121,488
- Educational attainment:
- High school graduate or higher: 84.9%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 28.3%
- Foreign-born population: 40.9%
- Married couples: 42%
- Poverty rate: 9.5%
Source: Census Reporter
Colma’s claim to fame is honestly pretty unique – it’s where famous people go to rest. William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper guy who basically inspired Citizen Kane, is buried there, along with Willie McCovey, the Giants slugger who’s in the Hall of Fame, Joe DiMaggio, and even Wyatt Earp.
Is Colma Safe?
Colma’s crime stats look absolutely bizarre on paper, but here’s the thing – when you’ve got only 1,400 people, even a few incidents make the percentages go crazy.
The total crime rate is 52,419 per 100,000 residents, which is 1,743.8% higher than the CA crime rate and 2,155.4% higher than the national average. Property crime dominates at 49,690 per 100,000 (2,020.8% higher than the state, 2,442.4% higher than the country). Violent crime is at 2,730 per 100,000 residents – 446.5% above the state and 638.3% above the national average.
Now, those crime stats might look scary at first glance, but here’s the thing – they’re kind of misleading. Colma has around 1,500 residents, but it has way more businesses and daily visitors. So, when you calculate crime rates per capita, the math gets wonky, and the percentages shoot through the roof. It’s basically a statistical quirk more than a real danger.
The good news? The Colma Police Department, with a police force of 19 officers, reported a slight decrease in overall police activity in April 2025, so things are actually trending in the right direction!
Cost of Living in Colma
Colma’s cost of living is 33% higher than the national average, but honestly, that’s Bay Area life. The Economic Policy Institute puts it at about $211,000 for a family of four to cover the basics in the San Francisco metro area. Sounds insane, but when you compare it to actual SF prices, suddenly living in Colma CA starts looking like a bargain.
Typical Peninsula Area Living Expenses
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $30.00
- Cappuccino: $6.03
- Gallon of milk: $5.82
- Dozen eggs: $6.38
- Gallon of gas: $4.89
- Average utilities per month: $234.72*
* Includes electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage
Source: Numbeo
California’s progressive income tax ranges from 1% to 12.3%. Property taxes are moderate for California standards, and the combined state/local sales tax varies by location within San Mateo County.
Colma CA Real Estate
As of November 2024, Colma’s median home price was $950,000, down 10.6% compared to the previous year (Redfin). Meanwhile, Apartments.com reports that the average rent in Colma is approximately $3,080 per month.
If you’re seriously considering buying a house in California, check out our complete guide to buying a house in California!
Colma Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Colma
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With just 1.9 square miles and a tiny population, Colma doesn’t have tons of housing options, but what’s there is pretty distinctive. You’ve got these quiet residential streets tucked between historic cemeteries, which creates this uniquely peaceful vibe you won’t find anywhere else.
Sterling Park – Quiet Residential Living
A quiet, residential neighborhood known for its well-kept homes and peaceful atmosphere. It’s close to several cemeteries, which honestly makes living in Colma CA a unique experience – quieter than most places and with some interesting historical character you won’t find elsewhere
Veteran’s Village – Community with Purpose
A community that provides housing for veterans, reflecting Colma’s commitment to honoring those who have served. It’s a neighborhood with real meaning behind it and a strong sense of shared values among residents.
Westlake District – Mid-Century Charm Meets Coastal Convenience
Family-friendly planned community featuring well-maintained homes, tree-lined streets, and excellent access to schools and shopping. Known for its strong sense of community and convenient location with easy BART access to San Francisco.
Colma Weather
If you love consistent, mild Bay Area weather, you’ll love living in Colma CA. This is that classic Mediterranean climate everyone raves about – cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s in winter to mid-70s in summer.
What’s amazing here is the consistency – zero inches of snow per year (compared to the 28-inch national average) and 264 sunny days annually, which beats the national average of 205. You get only 25 inches of rain per year, and it’s mostly spread over those 8-9 winter months, so summers are genuinely dry and pleasant.
The famous Bay Area fog rolls through during summer evenings, providing natural cooling. Winter means rain instead of snow, and even then, you’re only dealing with precipitation about 68 days per year.
Things to Do in Colma
One of the most unique aspects of living in Colma CA is its blend of peaceful small-town charm and unbeatable Bay Area convenience. While Colma itself is compact, it offers fascinating historic sites, great shopping, and immediate access to world-class attractions. Whether you’re wandering through its iconic cemeteries, catching a movie at Serramonte, or heading into San Francisco for the day, living in Colma CA means there’s always something to do nearby.
Cypress Lawn Memorial Park
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Often referred to as the “Victorian Garden of Memory,” Cypress Lawn is Colma’s most famous cemetery, featuring beautiful gardens, sculptures, and mausoleums.
1370 El Camino Real, Colma, CA 94014, (650) 550-8808
Serramonte Center
This bustling shopping hub has something for everyone – from big-name department stores to local eats and a multi-screen movie theater.
3 Serramonte Center, Daly City, CA 94015, (650) 301-3360
Holy Cross Cemetery
A peaceful and historic landmark, Holy Cross is one of Colma’s oldest cemeteries, established in 1887.
1500 Mission Rd, Colma, CA 94014, (650) 756-2060
Additional Attractions in and Around Colma
- Colma Historical Association Museum – Local museum preserving the town’s rich past with exhibits on Colma’s founding and its “City of Souls” legacy.
- San Bruno Mountain State & County Park – Hiking and nature trails with panoramic Bay Area views, just minutes away.
- Cow Palace Arena (Daly City) – A historic venue for concerts, rodeos, conventions, and community events.
Parks & Recreation and City Events Calendar
Want even more to do? Check out Colma Recreation Services for local programs, classes, and seasonal events. Plus, with San Francisco, South San Francisco, and Daly City just next door, you’ll always find exciting festivals, outdoor adventures, and cultural experiences minutes away.
Restaurants in Colma CA
Food lovers will find that living in Colma CA means being perfectly positioned to explore incredible dining at small businesses throughout the Peninsula.
Original Joe’s Westlake (Daly City)
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Old-school Italian-American place that doesn’t mess around with portion sizes. Steaks, pasta, sandwiches – all the classics done right in that retro open-kitchen style where you can watch them work.
11 Glenwood Ave, Daly City, CA 94015, (650) 755-7400
POGU (inside Jagalchi at Serramonte Center, Daly City)
This is the real deal – Korean cuisine from a Michelin-starred chef. It’s in the Jagalchi food hall, which is pretty cool since you get this high-end experience in a more casual food court setting.
63 Serramonte Center, Daly City, CA 94015, (415) 470-3420
Amoura (South San Francisco)
Palestinian-rooted Eastern Mediterranean food that’s made fresh daily with local ingredients. The kind of place where you can taste that they actually care about what they’re doing.
713 Linden Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080, (650) 754-6891
Colma Jobs
Living in Colma CA basically gives you a backstage pass to the entire Bay Area job market. The town itself doesn’t have tons of local jobs since it’s so small, but that’s not really the point of living in Colma CA – you’re positioned perfectly for everything else. Bay Area wages are some of the highest in the country, especially in tech and professional services. In Colma, the median household income is about $97,500.
Major nearby job markets include:
- Salesforce – Major San Francisco-based tech company
- Levi Strauss & Co. – Iconic clothing company headquartered in SF
- Williams-Sonoma – Home goods retailer based in San Francisco
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – Massive employer with everything from logistics to hospitality
- Silicon Valley Tech Giants – Apple, Google, Meta, all within commuting distance
Browse current positions on the Town of Colma Career Page or search Indeed Colma CA jobs.
Colma Schools
With Colma being so small, most families living in Colma CA end up using the Peninsula school district, like Jefferson Elementary and Jefferson Union High School. Both are actually pretty well-rated, so even though your kids might not go to school right in town, they’re getting a good education.
Nearby Higher Education
- San Francisco State University – Solid public option with tons of different programs
- University of San Francisco – Private university known for strong academics
- City College of San Francisco – Community college system that’ll get you where you need to go
Colma CA Statistics
- County: San Mateo County
- Colma area: 1.9 square miles
- Colma zip code: 94014
- Colma area code: 650
- Colma time zone: Pacific Time Zone (UTC -8 and -7)
- The airport situation when living in Colma CA is unreal – San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is literally 7 miles away. That’s like a 15-minute drive on a good day.
Colma CA Map
Thinking of Moving to Colma CA?
Living in Colma is honestly one of the quirkiest choices you could make – it’s got more cemeteries than living residents, which sounds weird but actually creates this incredibly peaceful place with tons of green space and none of the usual Bay Area crowds. You get that quiet, almost small-town vibe while being ridiculously close to San Francisco, South Bay jobs, and SFO. Perfect if you want to escape the chaos without giving up easy access to everything.
Ready to make the move? AMS Relocation knows the Bay Area inside and out. Call our Colma movers at (650) 284-2931 for a free quote – With over 50 years of experience, we’ll get you settled so you can start enjoying this uniquely peaceful corner of one of the world’s busiest regions.
