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C-

Is Half Moon Bay, California Safe?

Population 11,287 · Safer than 26% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Half Moon Bay is a smaller community of 11,287 people with a C- safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 237.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,496 per 100K.

Half Moon Bay Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHalf Moon BayCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate365.1333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2010.92099.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate215.0--268.2
Theft Rate1496.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate508.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

237.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

365/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

2011/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Half Moon Bay

Violent crime in Half Moon Bay is close to the national average. The rate of 365.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2010.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,496 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Half Moon Bay Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault215
080% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery72
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary297
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,496
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft508
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Half Moon Bay Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Half Moon Bay
365.1
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Half Moon Bay
2010.9
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Half Moon Bay Safety

Is Half Moon Bay safe?
Not especially. Half Moon Bay earns a C- with a crime rate of 237.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Half Moon Bay?
237.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 365.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2010.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Half Moon Bay safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Half Moon Bay's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,496 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Half Moon Bay?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Half Moon Bay generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Half Moon Bay police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Half Moon Bay?
No. Crime in Half Moon Bay has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Half Moon Bay compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Half Moon Bay ranks behind about 68% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Half Moon Bay to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Half Moon Bay?
Bad. A C- grade and 237.6 per-thousand rate put Half Moon Bay below 74% of US cities. Violent crime at 365 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Half Moon Bay?
365.1 per 100,000, which is 0% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (215), robbery (72), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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