Is Fort Lauderdale safe?
Safe in tourist areas with normal care. Theft from cars and beach bags, heat and rip currents are the main problems; some inland neighborhoods have higher crime.
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 Fort Lauderdale at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, beach theft and petty theft; drunken disputes near bars on Las Olas and the beach. |
| At night | Las Olas, the beach strip and Wilton Manors are busy and well lit. Use rideshare late rather than walking through quiet blocks. |
| Solo women | Generally fine in the main areas. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks at bars and avoid empty beaches after dark. |
| Other risks | Rip currents at the beach; Hurricane season Jun–Nov; Strong sun and thunderstorms in summer |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Parking attendants or 'valets' demanding cash on beach streets
- Fake ticket sellers for events and cruises
- Timeshare 'free gift' promoters near hotels
Take care
- Parts of Sistrunk Boulevard and inland neighborhoods away from visitor areas
- Unattended bags on the beach
- Isolated streets late at night
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 Fort Lauderdale 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 Fort Lauderdale safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine in the main areas. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks at bars and avoid empty beaches after dark.
Is Fort Lauderdale safe at night?
Las Olas, the beach strip and Wilton Manors are busy and well lit. Use rideshare late rather than walking through quiet blocks.
What is the crime rate in Fort Lauderdale?
Car break-ins, beach theft and petty theft; drunken disputes near bars on Las Olas and the beach. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Fort Lauderdale?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Fort Lauderdale
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Sources
- Broward County Transit
- Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport
- Visit Lauderdale
- 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.