Is Mather Safe, Pros and cons of living in Mather

Mather, California, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. Situated in Sacramento County, this census-designated place provides a balanced lifestyle for its residents. The area is characterized by its history as the former Mather Air Force Base, which has since been redeveloped, contributing to its current landscape.

The community is known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and a relaxed atmosphere, making it an attractive option for those seeking a quieter pace of life. Its proximity to natural surroundings and recreational opportunities, coupled with easy access to the amenities of nearby Sacramento, creates a desirable living environment for a diverse range of individuals and families.

Is it Safe to Live in Mather?

Mather presents a mixed safety profile, with overall crime rates that are higher than both the national and state averages. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 45% above the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Residents face approximately a 1 in 181 chance of being a victim of violent crime annually and a 1 in 28 chance for property crime (as reported by DoorProfit). Mather has a higher crime rate than 86% of major U.S. cities (as reported by DoorProfit).

While the general safety grade for Mather is a C- (as reported by DoorProfit), it’s important to note that safety can vary significantly by neighborhood. The east part of the city is generally considered the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 15 in the north neighborhoods to 1 in 62 in the east (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Violent Crime Statistics

The estimated violent crime rate in Mather is 551.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% higher than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). This translates to roughly a 1 in 181 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year (as reported by DoorProfit). Specific violent crime rates include murder at 8.0 per 100,000 (61% above average), aggravated assault at 375.9 per 100,000 (40% above average), and robbery at 118.7 per 100,000 (61% above average) (as reported by DoorProfit).

The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Mather is 1 in 427, which equates to a rate of 2 per one thousand inhabitants (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). When compared to California, the violent crime rate is 4% higher than the rest of the country but 23% lower than the rest of the state (as reported by Sacramento Movers).

Property Crime Overview

Property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in Mather, aligning with national trends. The estimated property crime rate is 3,579.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 95% higher than the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). This means residents have roughly a 1 in 28 chance of being a property crime victim per year (as reported by DoorProfit).

Key property crime rates include burglary at 409.6 per 100,000 (52% above average), larceny/theft at 2,578.8 per 100,000 (84% above average), and vehicle theft at 591.1 per 100,000 (85% above average) (as reported by DoorProfit). The property crime rate in Mather is 21.97 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living in Mather

Mather’s cost of living is approximately 22% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). However, it is 47% lower than California’s state average, indicating that while it’s more expensive than the nation, it offers relative affordability within the state (as reported by Salary.com). The cost of living index for the Sacramento area is 119.4, suggesting Mather is about 19.4% more expensive than a typical U.S. city (as reported by Sacramento Movers).

A significant driver of these costs is housing. Housing expenses in Mather are 31% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Utility prices are also notably higher, at 63% above the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Housing Costs

The median price of homes for sale in Mather is approximately $513,000 (as reported by Sacramento Movers). Mather’s real estate market is about 38% less expensive than the rest of California (as reported by Sacramento Movers). The median price per square foot for homes is $317 (as reported by Sacramento Movers). Housing costs in Mather come to a median of $2,349 per month (as reported by Point2Homes).

For renters, the median gross rent in Mather is $2,181 per month (as reported by Point2Homes). The average rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Mather is approximately $2,600 (as reported by Trulia). Most residents in Mather own their homes, with only 19% of properties being rented out (as reported by Sacramento Movers).

Average Salaries and Income

The average annual household income in Mather was $157,606 in 2024 (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income is reported as $146,023 (as reported by Point2Homes). For renters, the median household income was $80,375 according to 2022 Census data (as reported by Point2Homes).

The average annual salary in Mather is $52,804, which equates to approximately $25.39 an hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter). Most salaries in Mather range between $37,700 and $64,050 annually (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The median income in Mather stood at $146,023, reflecting a shift over the same period (as reported by Point2Homes).

Job Market in Mather

Employment in Mather has seen a slight decline, with a decrease of 2.83% from 2023 to 2024 (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors for residents are Public Administration, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Retail Trade (as reported by Data USA).

The primary job groups for Mather residents include Management Occupations, Sales & Related Occupations, and Business & Financial Operations Occupations (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the Mather area include UPS, CVS Health, US Department of Veterans Affairs, DHL, and Sutter Health (as reported by Indeed.com).

Unemployment Rate

The unemployment rate in Mather is 4.50%, which is lower than the state average (as reported by MetroStatUSA). This indicates a relatively strong job market within the community. In March 2026, California’s statewide unemployment rate was 5.3% (as reported by USAFacts).

The California unemployment rate has shown a slight decrease, with 5.3% of the labor force being unemployed in March 2026 (as reported by USAFacts). This rate is lower than the long-term average of 7.08% for California (as reported by YCharts).

Climate in Mather

Mather experiences a climate characterized by hot, arid summers and cold, wet winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 38°F to 94°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The annual precipitation averages 21 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Summers are hot, arid, and mostly clear, with temperatures rarely going below 29°F or above 103°F (as reported by Sacramento Mather Airport Climate). The hot season lasts from early June to late September, with July being the hottest month, averaging a high of 94°F and a low of 59°F (as reported by Sacramento Mather Airport Climate).

Temperature and Rainfall

The cool season in Mather lasts for approximately three months, from late November to late February, with average daily high temperatures below 61°F (as reported by Sacramento Mather Airport Climate). December typically has the coldest temperatures, with an average low of 39°F and a high of 55°F (as reported by Sacramento Mather Airport Climate). The annual precipitation is around 21 inches, with January typically being the wettest month, receiving an average of 4 inches of precipitation (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Mather receives an annual precipitation of 21 inches, which includes rain and the liquid equivalent of snow, hail, and freezing rain (as reported by myPerfectWeather). There is typically 0 inches of annual snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The area experiences about 143 days per year with comfortable weather, with the most pleasant times being from mid-March to May and again from October to November (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Demographics of Mather

Mather has a population of approximately 4,520 residents, with a median age of 34.1 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The population is distributed with about 26.2% being children under 15, 9.4% in the 15 to 24 age group, 30.2% between 25 and 44, 23.3% between 45 and 64, and 11% being 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).

Gender-wise, 44.7% of Mather’s residents are male, and 55.3% are female (as reported by Point2Homes). There are 1,486 households in Mather, with an average of 3 members per household (as reported by Point2Homes). Of these households, 82.5% are families, while the remaining 17.5% consist of individuals living alone or with non-relatives (as reported by Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Mather includes approximately 65.24% White, 10.58% Asian, and 6.11% identifying with other races (as reported by Mather, California Population 2026). There are also smaller percentages for Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and multiracial populations (as reported by Mather, California Population 2026). Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 15.8% of the population (as reported by Mather, CA Demographics – Map of Population by Race – Census Dots).

In terms of citizenship, 95.6% of Mather, CA residents are U.S. citizens (as reported by Data USA). Of the residents, 86.3% are U.S.-born citizens, while 9.3% have gained naturalized citizenship, and 4.4% are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes).

Education in Mather

Mather is served by the Folsom-Cordova Unified School District, which includes Mather Heights Elementary School. This public school serves students in grades K-5 and is highly rated, with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1 (as reported by Mather Heights Elementary School in Mather , CA – ranking, school information, ratings, test scores, test results). According to state test scores, 61% of students are proficient in math and 67% in reading (as reported by Mather Heights Elementary School in Mather , CA – ranking, school information, ratings, test scores, test results).

Mather Heights Elementary School has consistently ranked in the top 20% of California elementary schools, earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger (as reported by Mather, CA School Rankings & School Information). The school’s test scores are significantly above the district and county averages, particularly in English Language Arts and Mathematics (as reported by Mather, CA School Rankings & School Information).

School Performance

Mather Heights Elementary School has an overall Niche grade of A and a 9/10 GreatSchools Rating (as reported by Mather Heights Elementary School in Mather , CA – ranking, school information, ratings, test scores, test results). The school is recognized for its diversity, ranking among the top public elementary schools in California (as reported by Mather Heights Elementary School in Mather , CA – ranking, school information, ratings, test scores, test results). Test score details show that in the 3rd grade, 28% of students met math standards and 33% met English standards (as reported by Mather Heights Elementary in Mather , CA – ranking, school information, ratings, test scores, test results).

In contrast, Foundations Academy, an alternative school serving K-12, faces significant academic challenges, with 0% proficiency rates in both ELA and Math in the most recent year (as reported by Mather, CA School Rankings & School Information). Across the schools in Mather, there are common challenges such as high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 20.4% to 20.4%, which are significantly above the state average (as reported by Mather, CA School Rankings & School Information).

Pros and Cons of Living in Mather

Living in Mather offers a blend of advantages and disadvantages that potential residents should consider. The community provides a suburban lifestyle with a relatively affordable cost of living compared to the rest of California, coupled with convenient access to larger urban centers (as reported by Sacramento Movers). Its history as a former Air Force base has shaped its development, offering a unique character.

However, Mather’s crime rates are higher than national and state averages, which is a significant concern for safety. While some neighborhoods are safer than others, the overall crime statistics warrant careful consideration. The cost of living, though more affordable than much of California, is still higher than the national average, particularly due to housing and utility expenses.

Pros

Mather provides a peaceful community atmosphere with good access to amenities and outdoor recreation (as reported by Sacramento Movers). The cost of living is relatively affordable when compared to the rest of California, making it an attractive option for many (as reported by Sacramento Movers). The area boasts a lower unemployment rate than the state average, suggesting a stable job market (as reported by MetroStatUSA).

The median household income is above the state average, indicating a healthy economic standing for its residents (as reported by MetroStatUSA). Furthermore, Mather is home to highly-rated schools like Mather Heights Elementary, which performs well academically (as reported by Mather, CA School Rankings & School Information).

Cons

A primary concern for Mather is its elevated crime rate, which is above both national and state averages (as reported by DoorProfit, NeighborhoodScout). This includes higher rates of violent and property crimes, with vehicle theft being a particular issue (as reported by DoorProfit). Residents should be aware that safety can vary significantly by neighborhood (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

While more affordable than much of California, Mather’s cost of living is still 22% higher than the U.S. national average (as reported by Salary.com). Housing expenses, in particular, are 31% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale), and utility costs are also significantly elevated (as reported by Payscale).