Foster City, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Foster City Safe?
Mostly yes — Foster City is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Foster City has a crime rate that is 23% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 406.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 406
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 61
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
10% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Foster City Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
106 | +6% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
76 | -24% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
61 | -39% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Foster City Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Foster City Demographics & Context
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Foster City, CA?
Foster City, CA has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 23% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 406 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 61 chance for property crime. Foster City has lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Foster City, CA safe to live in?
Foster City is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Foster City is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Foster City?
The estimated violent crime rate in Foster City is 246.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 406 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.3 per 100K (6% above average); aggravated assault at 164.6 per 100K (39% below average); robbery at 55.9 per 100K (24% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Foster City?
The estimated property crime rate in Foster City is 1,645.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 10% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 61 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 188.7 per 100K (30% below average); larceny/theft at 1,160.5 per 100K (17% below average); vehicle theft at 295.8 per 100K (7% below average).
How does Foster City crime compare to the national average?
Foster City's overall crime rate is 23% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (6% above average), while assault is 39% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Foster City has lower crime than 53% of them.
Is Foster City safe to visit?
Foster City is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 10% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Foster City crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Foster City's crime rate is 23% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Foster City?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Foster City, with an estimated rate of 1,160.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 17% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,645 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (246 per 100K) in Foster City, which is consistent with national trends.