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D

Is South San Francisco, California Safe?

Population 64,941 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, South San Francisco faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 82% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,675 per 100K.

South San Francisco Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth San FranciscoCalifornia AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate443.7333.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2167.62099.21,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate281.0--268.2
Theft Rate1675.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate514.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

261.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

444/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2168/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South San Francisco

Violent crime in South San Francisco is above the national average. The rate of 443.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2167.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,675 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

South San Francisco Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault281
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery83
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary407
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,675
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft514
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South San Francisco Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South San Francisco
443.7
State
333.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South San Francisco
2167.6
State
2099.2
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South San Francisco Safety

Is South San Francisco safe?
Not especially. South San Francisco earns a D with a crime rate of 261.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in South San Francisco?
261.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 443.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2167.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South San Francisco safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. South San Francisco's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,675 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in South San Francisco?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South San Francisco generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South San Francisco police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South San Francisco?
Yes, there's been an uptick. South San Francisco's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does South San Francisco compare to other cities in California?
Below average for the state. South San Francisco ranks behind about 86% of California cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is South San Francisco to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in South San Francisco?
Bad. A D grade and 261.1 per-thousand rate put South San Francisco below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 444 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in South San Francisco?
443.7 per 100,000, which is 22% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (281), robbery (83), 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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