Everything You Should Know Before Moving to Foster City, CA
Thinking of moving to Foster City, CA? With a population of 33,805, Foster City is a safe, family-friendly community with top-rated schools and a highly educated population—over 70% hold bachelor’s degrees or higher. The median home price is $1.56M and average 2-bedroom rents run about $3,550, reflecting the Bay Area's high cost of living. Residents enjoy mild weather year-round, low violent crime (just 45 per 100k), and quick commutes to nearby Silicon Valley and San Francisco. Explore housing, schools, and local amenities to see if Foster City is your next home!
Demographics - Foster City, CA
Demographics - Foster City, CA
Foster City is home to around 33,800 residents, with a median age of just over 40 years, reflecting a mature and diverse community. The population is predominantly Asian (54.7%), with significant White and other ethnic groups, and nearly three in ten residents speak a language other than English at home. The city's density and balanced gender ratio contribute to its vibrant, multicultural atmosphere.
Population:
33,805
Density:
7,400 per sq mi
Median Age:
40.4
Gender Ratio:
97 males per 100 females
Non-English Speakers Percentage:
28.1%

Ethnic Composition
White:
32.5%
Black:
2.3%
Asian:
54.7%
Others:
10.5%
Cost Of Living
What is the average cost of living in Foster City, CA?
Living in Foster City comes with a high cost of living, as reflected by a median home value of $1.56 million and an average two-bedroom rent of $3,550 per month. While utilities and healthcare costs are close to national averages, housing expenses are a major contributor to the area's overall cost of living index of 234.9. Residents should also consider California's progressive state income taxes when budgeting.
Median House Value:
$1,560,000
Gross Rent:
$3,550
Monthly Electricity Charges:
$110
Auto Insurance:
$1,940
House Owner Cost With Mortgage:
$4,550
House Owner Cost Without Mortgage:
$1,250
State Taxes:
Low:
1%
|
High:
13.3%
Cost Of Living Index:
234.9
Grocery:
130.3
Housing:
362.1
Utilities:
95.4
Transportation:
148.7
Health Care:
120.6
Miscellaneous:
110.2
Crime
Is Foster City, CA a safe place to live?
Foster City enjoys a notably low crime rate, with just 45 violent crimes and 1,057 property crimes per 100,000 people, making it one of the safer communities in the Bay Area. The chance of experiencing violent crime is just 1 in 2,220, offering peace of mind for families and individuals alike. Property crime is slightly more common, but still well below national averages.
Violent Crimes Per 100k:
45
Property Crimes Per 100k:
1,057
Crime Index:
1,102
Chance Of Violent Crime:
1 in 2,220
Chance Of Property Crime:
1 in 95
Weather
What is the weather like in Foster City, CA year-round?
Foster City offers mild, comfortable weather year-round, with summer highs averaging 74°F and winter lows rarely dropping below 44°F. The area receives about 19.7 inches of rainfall annually and enjoys sunshine approximately 70% of the year, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Seasonal changes are gentle, contributing to the city’s overall pleasant climate.

Winter
Min:
44°F
Max:
58°F

Spring
Min:
49°F
Max:
67°F

Summer
Min:
57°F
Max:
74°F

Fall
Min:
53°F
Max:
72°F
Average Rainfall Inches:
19.7 inches
Sunny Days Percentage:
70%
Neighbors
Residents of Foster City generally enjoy a high standard of living, with a median household income of $163,322 and a low poverty rate of 3.1%. The area is highly educated, as over 70% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree, and unemployment remains low at 2.5%. Commutes average around 29 minutes, and a small but notable portion of residents rely on public transportation.
Median Income:
$86,900
Household Income:
$163,322
Family Income:
$188,200
Per Capita Income:
$75,000
Income Male:
$101,500
Income Female:
$82,800
Poverty Rate:
3.1%
Non English Speakers:
28.1%
Rent:
$3,550
Unemployment Rate:
2.5%
Public Transport Usage:
10.7%
Commute Time:
29.2 minutes

Education
High School or Higher:
97.0%
Bachelors or More:
71.8%
Education
How are the schools in Foster City, CA?
Education is a strong point in Foster City, with well-regarded public schools such as Foster City Elementary and Bowditch Middle School offering favorable student-teacher ratios. Private school and nearby college options, including the College of San Mateo just five miles away, provide a range of educational opportunities for families and students. The city's schools benefit from high community support and consistently strong academic outcomes.

Public Schools
Name:
Foster City Elementary
Street:
461 Beach Park Blvd
Phone:
650-312-7512
Students:
590
Student Teacher Ratio:
22:1
Name:
Bowditch Middle School
Street:
1450 Tarpon St
Phone:
650-312-7680
Students:
1,150
Student Teacher Ratio:
21:1

Private Schools
Name:
Kids Connection Elementary School
Street:
3800 Marine Pkwy
Phone:
650-638-0500
Students:
275

Colleges
Name:
College of San Mateo
City:
San Mateo
State:
CA
Distance:
5 miles
Students:
10,300
Name:
Notre Dame de Namur University
City:
Belmont
State:
CA
Distance:
7 miles
Students:
1,400
Healthcare
Foster City residents have excellent access to healthcare, with major hospitals like Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and San Mateo Medical Center nearby, both offering emergency services. There are 3.5 physicians per 1,000 people and a high health insurance coverage rate of 96.4%, ensuring quality medical care is readily available. The healthcare index indicates above-average service and accessibility in the area.

Major Hospitals
Name:
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Address:
1501 Trousdale Dr, Burlingame, CA 94010
Phone:
(650) 696-5400
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Name:
San Mateo Medical Center
Address:
222 W 39th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone:
(650) 573-2222
Type:
General & Surgical
Emergency Services:
Yes
Physicians Per 1000:
3.5
Health Insurance Coverage:
96.4%
Health Care Index:
78.3
Housing Market
What is the housing market like in Foster City, CA?
Foster City’s housing market is robust and competitive, featuring a median home price of $1.56 million and a 56.7% owner-occupancy rate. Rental vacancies are low at 3.4%, and average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $3,550, reflecting strong demand. Home values have appreciated modestly at 2.3% over the past year, and foreclosure rates remain minimal.
Median Home Price:
$1,560,000
Average Rent For 2 Bedroom:
$3,550
Owner Occupied Rate:
56.7%
Rental Vacancy Rate:
3.4%
Home Appreciation Rate (1yr):
2.3%
New Construction Rate:
1.2%
Foreclosure Rate:
0.2%
DMV Information
For driver and vehicle services, Foster City residents are served by the California Department of Motor Vehicles located in nearby San Mateo. The DMV provides a full range of licensing and registration services, and more information can be found on their official website. Appointments are recommended for faster service at this busy Bay Area location.
State:
California
Department:
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Address:
425 N. Amphlett Blvd, San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone:
1-800-777-0133
Website:
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is based on publicly available sources including AccuWeather, U.S. Census Bureau, local government data, and third-party partners such as Neustar. While we strive to ensure accuracy, all data is provided “as is” and should be independently verified before making any decisions. Movers.com makes no guarantees regarding the completeness or reliability of the information.