Is New York City safe?
Safe for a huge city with normal care. Most visitor problems are petty theft, scams and the occasional incident on late-night subway platforms.
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 New York City at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Phone and bag snatching, pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots, and theft from hotel rooms and unattended bags. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. |
| At night | Busy streets and the 24-hour subway feel fine in Manhattan and most of Brooklyn; take Uber or a yellow cab home from quiet outer areas. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect some catcalling; choose busy subway cars near the conductor late at night and use a rideshare from bars. |
| Other risks | Summer heat waves and humid nights; Winter ice and slush on corners; Cyclists and e-bikes running red lights |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Costumed characters in Times Square demanding tips for photos
- Unlicensed taxi drivers at airports quoting flat high fares
- Friendship bracelet or CD handouts followed by demands for money
- Fake tour or show tickets sold on the street
Take care
- Empty subway cars or platforms late at night
- Phone use at the curb: snatchers on e-bikes
- Parts of the Bronx and eastern Brooklyn after dark
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 York City 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 York City safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Expect some catcalling; choose busy subway cars near the conductor late at night and use a rideshare from bars.
Is New York City safe at night?
Busy streets and the 24-hour subway feel fine in Manhattan and most of Brooklyn; take Uber or a yellow cab home from quiet outer areas.
What is the crime rate in New York City?
Phone and bag snatching, pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots, and theft from hotel rooms and unattended bags. Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in New York City?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
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Going to New York City solo?
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Sources
- MTA (subway, buses and fares)
- Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- NYC Official Guide (NYC Tourism)
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection (water)
- 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.