City in Texas, United States
Is Dallas safe?
Safe in the main visitor areas with normal big-city care.
Is Dallas safe?
Safe in the main visitor areas with normal big-city care. Car break-ins and some violent crime in specific neighborhoods are the main concerns.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- 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 Dallas at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins and vehicle theft are the most common; property crime near downtown and Deep Ellum at night. Violent crime is concentrated away from visitor districts. |
| At night | Uptown and Deep Ellum are lively until about 2 am. Take Uber or Lyft rather than walking between districts at night. |
| Solo women | Generally fine for solo women in busy districts. Use rideshare late, watch drinks in bars and park in lit, staffed garages. |
| Other risks | Summer heat above 38°C; Spring tornado and hail storms; Fast, wide highways with aggressive drivers |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Card skimmers at gas pumps and standalone ATMs
- Fake ride pickups: confirm the plate and driver name in the app
- Panhandling and parking-lot 'attendants' asking for cash downtown
Take care
- Deep Ellum after midnight: fights and car break-ins on side streets
- Parts of South Dallas away from the center: avoid walking at night
- Parked cars anywhere: leave nothing visible
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 Dallas compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 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 |
| Dallas | 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 Dallas safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine for solo women in busy districts. Use rideshare late, watch drinks in bars and park in lit, staffed garages.
Is Dallas safe at night?
Uptown and Deep Ellum are lively until about 2 am. Take Uber or Lyft rather than walking between districts at night.
What is the crime rate in Dallas?
Car break-ins and vehicle theft are the most common; property crime near downtown and Deep Ellum at night. Violent crime is concentrated away from visitor districts. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Dallas?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Dallas
Going to Dallas solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Dallas meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit)
- DFW International Airport
- Dallas Love Field
- Visit Dallas
- 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.