Violent
Property
Total
San Mateo, CA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 99,929
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is San Mateo, California Safe?
San Mateo has a safety score of 61/100 (Near National 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%.
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 | Population | 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 61/100. With a total crime rate of 2,126.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, San Mateo is about average compared to the national average.
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 city has a population of 99,929.
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 61/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.