Mountain View, CA Crime Rate & Safety

Mountain View, CA has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 32% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 203 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 36 chance for property crime. Mountain View has higher crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Mountain View has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Approximately 83% of the city's 23 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Central Los Altos is one of the safest areas, while Martens-Carmelita has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Mountain View is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Mountain View are Central Los Altos, Blossom Valley, Waverly Park, Cuesta Park, and North Bayshore. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Mountain View include Martens-Carmelita, Willowgate, North Whisman, Cuernavaca, and Sylvan Park. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Mountain View is 492.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 203 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.7 per 100K (35% above average); aggravated assault at 384.7 per 100K (43% above average); robbery at 83.2 per 100K (13% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in Mountain View is 2,744.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 50% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 36 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 295.3 per 100K (9% above average); larceny/theft at 2,055.8 per 100K (47% above average); vehicle theft at 393.0 per 100K (23% above average).

Mountain View's overall crime rate is 32% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (47% above average), while rape is 46% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Mountain View has higher crime than 83% of them.

Visitors to Mountain View should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 50% above 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 Central Los Altos, Blossom Valley, Waverly Park.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. Mountain View's crime rate is 32% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical California city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Mountain View, with an estimated rate of 2,055.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 47% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,744 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (493 per 100K) in Mountain View, which is consistent with national trends.