City in Illinois, United States
Is Chicago safe?
Downtown, the lakefront and most visitor neighborhoods are fine with care.
Is Chicago safe?
Downtown, the lakefront and most visitor neighborhoods are fine with care. Violent crime is concentrated in parts of the South and West Sides, away from tourist routes.
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 Chicago at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone snatching and robberies near transit stops, car break-ins, and pickpocketing in crowds. Shootings occur mostly outside visitor areas but sometimes at night near downtown. |
| At night | The Loop quiets after work; River North, West Loop and Wicker Park stay busy. Use rideshare to get home late rather than walking long distances. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in central and north-side areas. Avoid empty transit platforms at night, use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars. |
| Other risks | Extreme cold and wind chill in winter; Icy sidewalks Dec–Mar; Summer heat waves with high humidity |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street 'buskers' or petitioners asking for donations aggressively
- Unlicensed taxis offering rides at O'Hare or Union Station
- Fake charity or 'free ticket' sellers around Millennium Park
- Overpriced parking at event lots
Take care
- Parts of the South and West Sides after dark
- CTA stations late at night, especially empty platforms
- Phone use at curbs and near transit entrances
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 Chicago 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 Chicago safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in central and north-side areas. Avoid empty transit platforms at night, use rideshare late and watch drinks in bars.
Is Chicago safe at night?
The Loop quiets after work; River North, West Loop and Wicker Park stay busy. Use rideshare to get home late rather than walking long distances.
What is the crime rate in Chicago?
Phone snatching and robberies near transit stops, car break-ins, and pickpocketing in crowds. Shootings occur mostly outside visitor areas but sometimes at night near downtown. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Chicago?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Chicago
Going to Chicago solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Chicago meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
- Chicago Department of Aviation (O'Hare and Midway)
- Choose Chicago (tourism)
- Chicago Department of Water Management
- 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.