San Bruno, CA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in San Bruno, CA

Is San Bruno safe to live in?

San Bruno earns an overall city-wide safety rating of Safe (B), and the data backs that up clearly. Of the 13 neighborhoods analyzed, 8 (61.5%) received an A grade and an additional 2 (15.4%) earned a B — meaning 77% of San Bruno neighborhoods fall into the safe category. Only one neighborhood, Bayhill, received a D-range equivalent grade (C-), and zero neighborhoods received an F. For context, the city's poverty rate sits at just 5.3% and unemployment at 4.4%, both well below national averages, which correlates strongly with the low crime levels seen across most of the city.

What is the crime rate in San Bruno, CA?

San Bruno carries an overall crime grade of C at the city level, but that figure is pulled upward by a small number of lower-rated areas. When you break it down by neighborhood, the picture is considerably more positive: 61.5% of neighborhoods grade out at A, with Portola Highlands topping the list at A+, followed by Monte Verde and Pacific Heights both at A. Mills Park (A) and Downtown San Bruno (A-) round out a strong top tier. On the other end, Bayhill and Golden Gate National Cemetery each hold a C-, the lowest grades in the city. No neighborhood falls below a C-, which speaks to San Bruno's relatively contained crime footprint for a Bay Area city of 44,663 residents.

What are the safest neighborhoods in San Bruno?

The data points to a clear set of standout neighborhoods for safety. Portola Highlands leads with a rare A+ grade — it's also the most affluent area analyzed, with a median household income of $155,394. Monte Verde (A, median income $127,290) and Pacific Heights (A, median income $145,045) follow closely, both combining high safety grades with strong economic indicators. Mills Park is notable as the most populous A-grade neighborhood at 5,635 residents, suggesting safety scales well even in denser parts of the city. Downtown San Bruno earns an A- despite a more modest median income of $77,079 — a sign that the downtown core is safer than its income level might suggest. Belle Air Park, Huntington Park, and Crestmoor all hold A- grades as well, giving residents a wide range of safe options across different price points.

Which neighborhoods in San Bruno have higher crime?

Among the 13 neighborhoods studied, only one neighborhood — Bayhill — grades below a B, earning a C-. Golden Gate National Cemetery also holds a C-, though its residential population is minimal given its nature as a federal cemetery. Together, these two C- areas represent just 7.7% of the graded neighborhoods, and critically, no neighborhood in San Bruno received a D or F grade. Rollingwood and Lomita Park sit at B- and B+ respectively, placing them in the middle tier — above average but worth monitoring on the crime map if you're considering those areas.

How does San Bruno compare to other Bay Area cities for safety?

San Bruno compares favorably within the Bay Area safety landscape. With 77% of its neighborhoods graded A or B and a 0% rate of F-graded neighborhoods, it outperforms many larger Bay Area cities where high-crime districts are more prevalent. The city's median household income of $113,103 and median home value of $959,529 reflect the broader Bay Area premium, but the safety grades suggest residents are getting real value in terms of security. The combination of a low poverty rate (5.3%), low unemployment (4.4%), and a dominant share of A-graded neighborhoods positions San Bruno as one of the more consistently safe mid-size cities in San Mateo County.

Is Downtown San Bruno safe?

Yes — Downtown San Bruno holds an A- safety grade, which is a strong result for a downtown district. With a population of 5,559 and a median income of $77,079 (lower than many surrounding neighborhoods), the A- grade indicates that safety in the downtown core is not simply a function of wealth. It suggests active community engagement and effective local policing. Residents and visitors can generally feel comfortable in Downtown San Bruno, though as with any urban center, standard precautions like staying aware of your surroundings and securing valuables remain good practice.

Is San Bruno a good place to buy a home?

From a safety standpoint, San Bruno makes a compelling case. The median home value of $959,529 reflects Bay Area pricing, but buyers are getting a city where over 61% of neighborhoods earn an A crime grade and the worst-performing area only reaches a C-. Neighborhoods like Portola Highlands (A+, median income $155,394), Pacific Heights (A, median income $145,045), and Rollingwood (B-, median income $131,916) offer a range of safety profiles at different price points. The city's low 5.3% poverty rate and 4.4% unemployment rate also suggest long-term neighborhood stability — a key factor for home value retention. For buyers prioritizing safety alongside Bay Area access, San Bruno's grade distribution makes it a strong candidate.