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Suburb
San Francisco

Foster City

#2 in Best Places to Live in San Mateo County
  • A+
    Overall Grade
  • Suburb of San Francisco, CA
  • 25 reviews
    A+
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?Data Sources
    1. Public Schools
      A+
    2. Crime & Safety
      B
    3. Housing
      C+
    4. Nightlife
      A-
    5. Good for Families
      A+
    6. Diversity
      A
    7. Jobs
      B+
    8. Weather
      A+
    9. Cost of Living
      D
    10. Health & Fitness
      A+
    11. Outdoor Activities
      A
    12. Commute
      B+
    Foster City is a suburb of San Francisco with a population of 33,784. Foster City is in San Mateo County and is one of the best places to live in California. Living in Foster City offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents own their homes. In Foster City there are a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Foster City and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Foster City are highly rated.
    About Foster City...
    Population
    33,784
    Suburb of
    San Francisco
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    Real Estate

    Median Home Value
    $1,153,600
    National
    $184,700
    Median Rent
    $3,002
    National
    $949
    Area Feel
    Urban Suburban Mix
    Rent vs. Own
    • Rent
      42%
    • Own
      58%
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    Foster City Rankings

    Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.
    See All Foster City Rankings

    Crime & Safety

    Crime & Safety
    B
    Based on violent and property crime rates.
    Violent Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Assault
      60.7
      282.7
    • Murder
      0
      6.1
    • Rape
      28.9
      40.7
    • Robbery
      23.1
      135.5
    Property Crimes
    • Calculated annually per 100,000 residents
    National
    • Burglary
      182
      500.1
    • Theft
      984.9
      2,042.8
    • Motor Vehicle Theft
      60.7
      284

    Residents

    Diversity
    A
    Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
    Age
    • <10 years
      13%
    • 10-17 years
      9%
    • 18-24 years
      4%
    • 25-34 years
      15%
    • 35-44 years
      17%
    • 45-54 years
      14%
    • 55-64 years
      12%
    • 65+ years
      16%
    Education Levels
    National
    • Master's degree or higher
      35%
      12%
    • Bachelor's degree
      35%
      19%
    • Some college or associate's degree
      19%
      29%
    • High school diploma or equivalent
      7%
      28%
    • Less than high school diploma
      4%
      13%
    More About Foster City Residents

    Working in Foster City

    Jobs
    B+
    Based on employment rates, job and business growth, and cost of living.
    Median Household Income
    $152,446
    National
    $55,322
    Search for Jobs in Foster City

    Places to Work in Foster City

    See All 9 Places to Work in Foster City 
    More about Jobs in Foster City
    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools

    Top Public Schools Serving Foster City

    See All 21 Public Schools in Foster City 

    Top Private Schools in Foster City

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    Foster City Reviews

    25 reviews
    All Categories
    Very peaceful community... until rush hour! Squeezed into a corner between highways 92 and 101, Foster City turns from a quiet suburb to a noise city parking lot. Besides that a cute family town with great resources and beautiful homes.
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    Living in the Bay Area I am used to traffic, dirty streets, and noise. People tend to be in a hurry. Foster city is a little hidden unnoticeable gem. I say its unnoticeable because it is so quiet and peaceful that nobody cares to explore a boring noiseless city. Unfortunately many don't know It has beautiful parks with well taken care of clean streets. You typically see people taking walks around the block because of the harmonious ambience. You get a sense of safety and friendliness.
    Though Foster City may be small, it is a city full of excitement and opportunity. Recent construction has occurred, but the city still remains a great residential area. There are lots of plazas and nearby places for food or fun. It is near water and you can get to many places due to the proximity to 101, 92, etc. The Hillsdale mall is a great place and the Caltrain is great for traveling to work or school. I believe the schools could use a bit of work as the elementary class size has increased from 20 to 30 students since I attended and the middle schools haven't had any new changes recently. Night life is what you make of it, but don't expect it to be like Boston or SF. Overall, a great place to live.
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