Half Moon Bay, CA
Homes in 94038: what they're like and what they need
Quick answer
Half of the 1,039 homes in 94038 (Half Moon Bay) were built before 1971, and 78% before 1980. Gas heats 61% of them, and owners live in 99%. Homes like these usually need a panel check before adding an EV charger or heat pump, earthquake bolting and bracing, and lead-safe painting and remodeling.
Updated November 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS 2020-2024
A plain-English report on the 1,039 homes in ZIP 94038, from public Census and city data, with the repairs and upgrades homes like these usually need.
1971
Typical home built
78%
Built before 1980
61%
Heat with gas
99%
Owner-occupied
What homes in 94038 usually need
Electrical panel check before an EV charger or heat pump
78% of homes here were built before 1980, when panels were often sized for much less load. Check yours before adding big electric items.
Earthquake bolting and bracing
Houses built before 1980 on raised foundations are the ones California's Earthquake Brace + Bolt program offers grants for. Check whether your home qualifies.
Lead-safe painting and remodeling
About 72% of homes here are older than 1978. Painters and remodelers working on them must follow EPA lead-safe rules (RRP certification).
Gas furnace to heat pump
61% of homes in 94038 heat with gas. A heat pump replaces the furnace and adds AC, and local utility rebates often cover a large share.
Roof and gutters before the rains
Half the homes here were built before 1972. Most roofs last 20-30 years, so many are on their second or third. Clean gutters and a roof check before winter storms prevent most leaks.
Older pipes and sewer lines
22% of homes here are from the 1950s or earlier, when galvanized supply pipes and clay or cast-iron sewer lines were common. A camera inspection of the sewer line is cheap insurance.
When homes in 94038 were built
76% are detached houses. 21% heat with electricity. Median owner-reported value: $1,123,100.
Rebates for 94038 homes
- WestLight Energy rebates (WestLight Energy (San Mateo County electricity provider, formerly Peninsula Clean Energy))
- BayREN home energy programs (Bay Area Regional Energy Network (9 Bay Area counties))
- Switch Is On incentive finder (Statewide (California))
Permits in Half Moon Bay
Which projects need a permit, how long it takes and where to apply.
Half Moon Bay permit checkerPros serving Half Moon Bay
- Plumbers in Half Moon Bay
- Heating & AC Contractors in Half Moon Bay
- Electricians in Half Moon Bay
- Handyman Services in Half Moon Bay
- Roofers in Half Moon Bay
- Pest Control Companies in Half Moon Bay
- Painters in Half Moon Bay
- Landscapers & Tree Services in Half Moon Bay
- General Contractors in Half Moon Bay
- Solar Installers in Half Moon Bay
Need something done in 94038?
Tell us once. SVHN finds a checked local pro, and you approve before anyone comes out.
Get a proQuestions about homes in 94038
- How old are the homes in 94038?
- Half of the 1,039 homes in 94038 (Half Moon Bay) were built before 1971, so the typical home is about 55 years old. 78% were built before 1980 and 0% since 2000.
- How do homes in 94038 heat?
- 61% heat with gas and 21% with electricity. Gas-heated homes are the ones heat pump rebates are aimed at.
- Are most homes in 94038 owned or rented?
- 99% are lived in by their owners and 1% are rented. 76% are detached single-family houses.
- What is the median home value in 94038?
- The Census estimate of the median owner-reported home value in 94038 is $1,123,100 (2020-2024 average).
For local pros: trades that fit 94038
Compared with the other 162 ZIPs SVHN serves, homes here are among the best fits for:
- Real Estate Agents #1
- Handyman #2
- Drywall & Plaster #3
- Junk Removal #3
- Home Inspection #3
- Garage Doors #3
- Insulation #7
- Painting #11
Run a home-service business? SVHN's free Market Finder ranks every ZIP for your trade
Other Half Moon Bay ZIPs
Housing figures: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for ZIP code tabulation area 94038 (estimates, via Census Reporter). "What homes usually need" is general guidance based on home age and heating type, not an inspection of any home.
