Half Moon Bay, CA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Half Moon Bay Safe?
Yes — Half Moon Bay has good safety overall
A city with below-average crime rates, though some neighborhoods may differ.
Half Moon Bay has a crime rate that is 36% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 426.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Ocean Colony earn an A+ safety grade, while Ocean Colony rates A+. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Half Moon Bay.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 426
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
38% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 129
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
58% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Half Moon Bay 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
|
64 | -36% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
43 | -57% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
46 | -54% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
26 | -74% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Half Moon Bay Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Half Moon Bay?
Safety varies dramatically across Half Moon Bay's 1+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 1Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 1 neighborhoods in Half Moon Bay
All Half Moon Bay Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ocean Colony | A+ | 42 |
Half Moon Bay Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Half Moon Bay zip codes.
Half Moon Bay Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Half Moon Bay, CA?
Half Moon Bay, CA has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 36% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 426 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 129 chance for property crime. Half Moon Bay has lower crime than 70% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Half Moon Bay, CA safe to live in?
Half Moon Bay is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 1 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Ocean Colony is one of the safest areas, while Ocean Colony has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Half Moon Bay is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Half Moon Bay?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Half Moon Bay are Ocean Colony. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Half Moon Bay?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Half Moon Bay include Ocean Colony. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Half Moon Bay?
The estimated violent crime rate in Half Moon Bay is 234.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 426 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.2 per 100K (36% below average); aggravated assault at 184.4 per 100K (31% below average); robbery at 31.8 per 100K (57% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Half Moon Bay?
The estimated property crime rate in Half Moon Bay is 773.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 58% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 129 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 240.9 per 100K (11% below average); larceny/theft at 359.6 per 100K (74% below average); vehicle theft at 173.4 per 100K (46% below average).
How does Half Moon Bay crime compare to the national average?
Half Moon Bay's overall crime rate is 36% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (11% below average), while larceny/theft is 74% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Half Moon Bay has lower crime than 70% of them.
Is Half Moon Bay safe to visit?
Half Moon Bay is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 58% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Ocean Colony.
How does Half Moon Bay crime compare to the rest of California?
California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Half Moon Bay's crime rate is 36% below the national average, making it safer the typical California city.
What type of crime is most common in Half Moon Bay?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Half Moon Bay, with an estimated rate of 359.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 74% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (774 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (235 per 100K) in Half Moon Bay, which is consistent with national trends.