City in Georgia, United States
Is Atlanta safe?
Safe in busy visitor areas with normal care, but violent crime exists in parts of the city.
Is Atlanta safe?
Safe in busy visitor areas with normal care, but violent crime exists in parts of the city. Car break-ins and traffic accidents are the most common problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- Homicide rate in United States: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in United States: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Atlanta at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Car break-ins and theft in parking decks and nightlife areas; violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods away from visitor zones. |
| At night | Midtown and the BeltLine are busy at night. Use rideshare after dark rather than walking between neighborhoods or waiting at quiet stations. |
| Solo women | Generally fine in the main areas. Use rideshare late at night, avoid quiet transit platforms, and watch drinks in clubs. |
| Other risks | Summer heat and thunderstorms; Heavy traffic and fast highways; Occasional winter ice storms |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake charity and petition collectors asking for cash
- Ticket scalpers and fake event or concert tickets
- Strangers 'helping' at parking meters and decks
Take care
- Downtown side streets and parts of Five Points late at night
- Empty MARTA stations and platforms late at night
- Parking decks after dark
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking age is 21 everywhere; bars and shops check ID, so carry your passport.
- Open alcohol containers in public and in cars are illegal in most places.
- Cannabis is legal in some states but federally illegal; never carry it across borders or onto federal land.
How Atlanta compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| New York City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Orlando | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Honolulu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Diego | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Maui | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nashville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Austin | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Key West | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Denver | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Portland | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Antonio | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charleston | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Savannah | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kauai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Big Island | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Los Angeles | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Miami | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Francisco | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Washington, D.C. | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Chicago | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| New Orleans | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Seattle | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Philadelphia | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Atlanta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Atlanta safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine in the main areas. Use rideshare late at night, avoid quiet transit platforms, and watch drinks in clubs.
Is Atlanta safe at night?
Midtown and the BeltLine are busy at night. Use rideshare after dark rather than walking between neighborhoods or waiting at quiet stations.
What is the crime rate in Atlanta?
Car break-ins and theft in parking decks and nightlife areas; violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods away from visitor zones. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Atlanta?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Atlanta
Going to Atlanta solo?
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Sources
- MARTA
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Discover Atlanta
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.