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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, San Mateo, CA has a Safety Score of 37/100 — higher crime than 63% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,875 of 2,971 US cities and #135 of 264 in California.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is San Mateo, California Safe?
San Mateo, a city on the San Francisco Peninsula, was once home to the historic Borel Estate. Its diverse population of around 105,000 resides amidst a mix of urban and suburban landscapes.
San Mateo has a safety score of 37/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
San Mateo ranks #135 out of 264 cities in California and #1875 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 37th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 63% of US cities.
Year over year, San Mateo's total crime rate decreased by 6.2%, with violent crime declining 30.1%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
San Mateo Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 243 | 243.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 5.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 26 | 26.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 74 | 74.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 138 | 138.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,882 | 1,883.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 98 | 98.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,577 | 1,578.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 207 | 207.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
San Mateo vs California Average
How does San Mateo's crime rate compare to the California state average?
| Metric | San Mateo | California Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.2 | 518.0 | -53.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,883.3 | 2,161.3 | -12.9% |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 4.4 | +13.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,126.5 | 2,679.3 | -20.6% |
San Mateo Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for San Mateo, California.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 99,929 | 2,126.5 | 243.2 | 1,883.3 |
| 2023 | 98,883 | 2,267.3 | 347.9 | 1,919.4 |
| 2022 | 99,184 | 2,668.8 | 307.5 | 2,361.3 |
| 2020 | 105,246 | 2,451.4 | 260.3 | 2,191.1 |
| 2019 | 106,020 | 2,342.0 | 250.9 | 2,091.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Mateo, California safe?
San Mateo has a safety score of 37/100, meaning it has less crime than about 37% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, San Mateo is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in San Mateo, California?
According to FBI data for 2024, San Mateo has a violent crime rate of 243.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,883.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does San Mateo compare to the national average?
San Mateo's total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 99,929 residents.
What types of crime are most common in San Mateo?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in San Mateo include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is San Mateo safe to visit?
Like any city, San Mateo has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 37/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.