City in Florida, United States
Is Miami safe?
Tourist and business areas are generally fine with care.
Is Miami safe?
Tourist and business areas are generally fine with care. Property crime, aggressive driving and nightlife risks are the main concerns; some neighborhoods are rough.
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 Miami at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Car break-ins, phone and bag snatching, and theft at beaches and in nightlife areas. Violent crime concentrates in specific neighborhoods outside visitor areas. |
| At night | Brickell, Wynwood and South Beach are lively; use Uber for all late trips and do not walk between neighborhoods after dark. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in busy areas by day. Expect catcalling, use rideshare at night, and watch drinks in clubs. |
| Other risks | Hurricanes and tropical storms, Jun–Nov; Extreme heat and humidity in summer; Strong rip currents; swim by lifeguard stations |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi drivers at the airport quoting flat fares far above the meter
- Valet staff or event parkers charging inflated cash fees
- Club promoters adding surprise bottle service minimums to the bill
- Beach vendors selling overpriced chair or umbrella packages
Take care
- Overtown and Liberty City after dark
- Leaving valuables in parked cars, even in daylight
- South Beach clubs late at night: drink spiking and fights
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 Miami 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 Miami safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in busy areas by day. Expect catcalling, use rideshare at night, and watch drinks in clubs.
Is Miami safe at night?
Brickell, Wynwood and South Beach are lively; use Uber for all late trips and do not walk between neighborhoods after dark.
What is the crime rate in Miami?
Car break-ins, phone and bag snatching, and theft at beaches and in nightlife areas. Violent crime concentrates in specific neighborhoods outside visitor areas. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Miami?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Miami
Going to Miami solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Miami meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Miami-Dade Transit (Metrorail and Metromover)
- Miami International Airport
- Brightline
- Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
- 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.