San Mateo, CA Crime Rate & Safety

San Mateo, CA has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 5% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 218 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 42 chance for property crime. San Mateo has higher crime than 70% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

San Mateo has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. Approximately 94% of the city's 34 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Dolphin Bay is one of the safest areas, while Vintage Park has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting San Mateo is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in San Mateo are Dolphin Bay, Sea Colony, The Islands, Harbor Side, and Baywood Park. 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 San Mateo include Vintage Park, Metro Center, Fiesta Gardens, Downtown San Mateo, and North Central. 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 San Mateo is 459.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 218 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.5 per 100K (11% above average); aggravated assault at 341.1 per 100K (27% above average); robbery at 80.2 per 100K (8% above average).

The estimated property crime rate in San Mateo is 2,356.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 42 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 201.9 per 100K (25% below average); larceny/theft at 1,800.5 per 100K (28% above average); vehicle theft at 353.8 per 100K (11% above average).

San Mateo's overall crime rate is 5% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (28% above average), while burglary is 25% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, San Mateo has higher crime than 70% of them.

Visitors to San Mateo should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% 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 Dolphin Bay, Sea Colony, The Islands.

California as a whole has crime that is 9% above the national average. San Mateo's crime rate is 5% above the national average, which is roughly in line with the state's overall rate.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in San Mateo, with an estimated rate of 1,800.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 28% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,356 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (459 per 100K) in San Mateo, which is consistent with national trends.