San Mateo, CA vs Santa Barbara, CA

San Mateo is safer with a higher safety score by 9 points. San Mateo, CA has a safety score of 71/100 while Santa Barbara, CA has 62/100, based on FBI Uniform Crime Report data.

San Mateo, CA has a violent crime rate of 243.2 per 100,000 residents, while Santa Barbara, CA has 648.3 per 100,000. Lower rates indicate safer communities. The national average is approximately 380 per 100,000.

San Mateo, CA has a property crime rate of 1883.3 per 100,000, compared to 1809.7 per 100,000 in Santa Barbara, CA. Property crimes include burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft.

Safety scores range from 0-100, combining violent crime rates, property crime rates, and population data from the FBI UCR. Higher scores mean safer cities. Grades: A (80+), B (65-79), C (50-64), D (40-49), F (below 40).

Based on crime data alone, San Mateo is safer. However, safety is just one factor — also consider cost of living, job market, schools, and quality of life. Visit our city pages for more details on each.