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D-

Is Mountain View, California Safe?

Population 85,438 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Mountain View runs high. The city's D- grade puts it below 85% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 2,017 per 100K.

Mountain View Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMountain ViewCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate373.2333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2364.42099.21,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate218.0--268.2
Theft Rate2017.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate475.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

273.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

373/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2364/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Mountain View

Violent crime in Mountain View is close to the national average. The rate of 373.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2364.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 2,017 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Mountain View Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault218
081% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery62
098% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary434
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft2,017
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft475
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Mountain View Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mountain View
373.2
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Mountain View
2364.4
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain View Safety

Is Mountain View safe?
Not especially. Mountain View earns a D- with a crime rate of 273.8 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 Mountain View?
273.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 373.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2364.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Mountain View safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Mountain View's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (2,017 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Mountain View?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Mountain View generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Mountain View police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Mountain View?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Mountain View's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Mountain View compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. Mountain View ranks behind about 79% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Mountain View to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Mountain View?
Bad. A D- grade and 273.8 per-thousand rate put Mountain View below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 373 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Mountain View?
373.2 per 100,000, which is 3% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (218), robbery (62), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all California city safety grades

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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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