The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 94019 sells for about $1,924,500, or $985 per square foot.
Prices are up +1.8% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 34 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $4,200 a month.
ZIP 94019 — Half Moon Bay
The Half Moon Bay housing market remains stable with high price points driven by limited inventory and strong demand for coastal living. While sales volume is modest, the market maintains a competitive edge for well-priced properties. Growth is heavily constrained by local planning and environmental regulations.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent families, remote workers, and retirees seeking a coastal lifestyle within reach of the Bay Area's major employment hubs. It is less suitable for those requiring high-density urban amenities or short, transit-based commutes.
Median prices moved up 1.8% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 34 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
18% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 3.2% · poverty 5.8% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.1%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 94019, San Mateo County, CA
Crime rates in Half Moon Bay remain relatively low compared to larger urban centers in the San Francisco Bay Area, with property crime being the most frequently reported issue. Local law enforcement is provided through a contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.
Public schools serving the area are generally well-regarded, with the Cabrillo Unified School District providing the primary educational infrastructure for the community.
The area faces significant coastal hazard risks, including potential for bluff erosion, sea-level rise, and wildfire risks in the surrounding wildland-urban interface. Property insurance availability and premiums are increasingly sensitive to these environmental factors.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, agriculture, and its role as a coastal residential hub for Silicon Valley commuters. Development is strictly managed by local planning policies and state coastal regulations, limiting large-scale expansion.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (California) — Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act Special Parcel Tax Assessment: Levies an annual direct, non-ad valorem special tax directly on the parcel's secured property tax bill to fund designated community infrastructure (e.g., roads, sewer facilities, school facilities, emergency services) and repay municipal debt bonds. State (California) — California Homeowners' Property Tax Exemption: Reduces the taxable assessed value of the qualifying owner-occupied principal residence by $7,000 against the county assessment roll, generating a direct tax savings of approximately $70 annually (computed as $7,000 × 1% base rate). State (California) — California Proposition 13 Ad Valorem Real Property Tax: Establishes a base ad valorem tax rate capped at 1.0% of assessed value plus voter-approved local indebtedness and direct assessments (typically resulting in an effective tax rate of 1.1% to 1.25%).
Commuting to the San Francisco or Silicon Valley employment cores typically requires driving via Highway 92 or Highway 1, which are prone to heavy traffic congestion during peak hours.
The area is defined by its coastal access, featuring world-class surfing at Mavericks, extensive hiking trails along the bluffs, championship golf courses, and a historic downtown shopping and dining district.
The rental market is characterized by high demand and limited supply, with significant pressure from the short-term vacation rental market and the area's desirability as a coastal destination.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, agriculture, and local services, with many residents employed in the broader San Francisco and Silicon Valley tech and professional sectors.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with Highway 1 and Highway 92 serving as the primary corridors for regional access.
Development is heavily influenced by the California Coastal Commission and local growth management ordinances, which prioritize preservation over large-scale expansion.
The San Mateo County Assessor manages property valuations, adhering to state-mandated assessment practices and Proposition 13 limitations.
Parcels are subject to various special districts, including the Cabrillo Unified School District and local sewer and water utility districts.
Property insurance markets are tightening due to increased wildfire and coastal hazard exposure, leading to higher premiums and limited carrier options.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 94019 profile.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Extensive coastal beach and recreation area.
Championship oceanfront golf facility.
Historic district with local boutiques and restaurants.
Key-figure check: median price diverges 18.4% from the nearest retained anchor (published ten-year series (2025)) — beyond the 12.5% tolerance; an automated validation case is open and the value publishes pending its verdict. Research outlier held out — this pass returned a median of $1,571,151 (18.4% off the retained reading), contradicting every independent anchor; the prior reading stands pending corroboration. Validation: the flagged $1,571,151 (-18.4% vs the published ten-year series (2025)) could not be independently corroborated and was reverted to the prior cycle value pending review; the case is under review in the Command Center.