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C

Is San Mateo, California Safe?

Population 103,337 · Safer than 30% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

San Mateo earns a C safety grade with 226.5 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 70% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,490 per 100K.

San Mateo Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSan MateoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate405.3333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1859.42099.21,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate306.0--268.2
Theft Rate1490.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate417.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

226.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

405/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1859/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for San Mateo

Violent crime in San Mateo is close to the national average. The rate of 405.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1859.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,490 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 306 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

San Mateo Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault306
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery99
01.6x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary299
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,490
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft417
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How San Mateo Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Mateo
405.3
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

San Mateo
1859.4
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About San Mateo Safety

Is San Mateo safe?
Not especially. San Mateo earns a C with a crime rate of 226.5 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 San Mateo?
226.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 405.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1859.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is San Mateo safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. San Mateo's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,490 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in San Mateo?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in San Mateo generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the San Mateo police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in San Mateo?
No. Crime in San Mateo has been trending down, which is good news for the C-rated city.
How does San Mateo compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. San Mateo ranks behind about 78% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is San Mateo 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 San Mateo?
Bad. A C grade and 226.5 per-thousand rate put San Mateo below 70% of US cities. Violent crime at 405 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in San Mateo?
405.3 per 100,000, which is 11% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (306), robbery (99), and murder (8.0) 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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