At a Glance
Median Income
$193,633
$95,509 per capita
Home Value
$1,774,500
Zillow: $1,835,177
Median Rent
$3,501/mo
25.7% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
74.1%
95.9% high school+
Unemployment
4.8%
3.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
17.4%
5.7% smoking rate
How Foster City Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Foster City's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Foster City a Good Place to Live?
B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Foster City residents earn a median household income of $193,633 , which is 158% above the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $95,509. The unemployment rate stands at 4.8% (33% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 3.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 31,186 business establishments, including 2,143 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Foster City is $1,774,500 , 529% above the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $1,835,177. Median rent is $3,501/month, with 25.7% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 110.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1976.
Education
74.1% of adults in Foster City hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(120% above the national average).
95.9% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Foster City has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C).
Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 27.
Data Overview
People
Population32,964
Median Age39.7 yrs
Density8,698/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born48.2%
Veterans2.8%
Economy
A+
Median Income$193,633
Per Capita$95,509
Unemployment4.8%
Poverty3.3%
County GDP$217,018M
Avg Weekly Wage$3,778
Housing
F
Home Value$1,774,500
Rent$3,501
Ownership51.2%
Zillow$1,835,177
Housing Units13,318
Rent Burden25.7%
Health
Obesity17.4%
Diabetes7.8%
Smoking5.7%
Premature Death4,006/100K
Climate
Avg Temp59°F
Rain19.6 in/yr
AQI27 (Good)
Elevation7 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+74.1%
High School+95.9%
Graduate+37.7%
School Score5.8/10
Community
2024 VoteR 23% / D 74%
Commute31 min
Broadband98.0%
Internet Speed170 Mbps
EV Stations19
Libraries34
Did You Know?
Foster City was founded in 1971.
The median home in Foster City was built in 1976.
30.1% work from home.
The nearest airport is San Francisco International (8 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.493 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively High" by FEMA.
8.9% of the population has a disability.
48.2% of residents are foreign-born.
Average internet download speed is 170 Mbps.
There are 2,143 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 43 fatal vehicle crashes.