City in Louisiana, United States
Is New Orleans safe?
The French Quarter and tourist streetcar corridor are busy but see theft and robberies at night.
Is New Orleans safe?
The French Quarter and tourist streetcar corridor are busy but see theft and robberies at night. Violent crime is higher than the US average; stay in lit, crowded areas after dark.
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 New Orleans at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching, robberies after dark, and car break-ins. Bourbon Street has fights and drink spiking; violent crime often involves people leaving bars late at night. |
| At night | Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets stay busy until dawn. Use Uber or a licensed taxi rather than walking between neighborhoods or through the Quarter's quiet end. |
| Solo women | Doable with care. Expect catcalling on Bourbon Street, avoid walking alone late, watch drinks in crowded bars and use rideshare at night. |
| Other risks | Hurricanes and flooding, Jun–Nov; Extreme heat and humidity in summer; Uneven sidewalks and potholes, especially in the French Quarter |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street 'guides' offering to bet that they know where you got your shoes
- Drinks added to bar bills or expensive 'hand grenade' upsells
- Unlicensed taxis at the airport and Quarter charging flat high fares
- Fake parking officers collecting cash
Take care
- Walking alone late in the French Quarter outside Bourbon and Royal Streets
- Treme, Central City and the Lower Ninth Ward after dark
- Phone use at curbs: snatchers on bikes
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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans safe for solo female travelers?
Doable with care. Expect catcalling on Bourbon Street, avoid walking alone late, watch drinks in crowded bars and use rideshare at night.
Is New Orleans safe at night?
Bourbon and Frenchmen Streets stay busy until dawn. Use Uber or a licensed taxi rather than walking between neighborhoods or through the Quarter's quiet end.
What is the crime rate in New Orleans?
Phone and bag snatching, robberies after dark, and car break-ins. Bourbon Street has fights and drink spiking; violent crime often involves people leaving bars late at night. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in New Orleans?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about New Orleans
Going to New Orleans solo?
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Sources
- RTA (New Orleans Regional Transit Authority)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- New Orleans & Company (tourism)
- Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans
- 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.