City in Pennsylvania, United States
Is Philadelphia safe?
Safe in most visitor areas with normal city care, but some neighborhoods have high violent crime.
Is Philadelphia safe?
Safe in most visitor areas with normal city care, but some neighborhoods have high violent crime. Choose where you stay and avoid wandering outside the core 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 Philadelphia at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Theft from cars, phone snatching and package theft; violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods away from tourist areas. |
| At night | Center City, Old City and Fishtown are busy and usually fine. Use rideshare late rather than SEPTA or walking through quiet blocks. |
| Solo women | Generally fine in the core. Rideshare late at night, keep drinks covered, and avoid empty transit stations after dark. |
| Other risks | Winter ice and snow; Summer heat waves and humidity; Drivers rarely yield at crossings |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake charity collectors and petition clipboards asking for donations
- Parking kiosks and street 'guides' asking for tips
- Overpriced cheesesteak shops targeting tourists
Take care
- Kensington and parts of North Philadelphia
- Empty SEPTA stations and trains late at night
- Unlit streets away from Center City 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine in the core. Rideshare late at night, keep drinks covered, and avoid empty transit stations after dark.
Is Philadelphia safe at night?
Center City, Old City and Fishtown are busy and usually fine. Use rideshare late rather than SEPTA or walking through quiet blocks.
What is the crime rate in Philadelphia?
Theft from cars, phone snatching and package theft; violent crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods away from tourist areas. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Philadelphia?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Philadelphia
Going to Philadelphia solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Philadelphia meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- SEPTA
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Visit Philadelphia
- 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.