Is Phoenix safe?
Safe in visitor areas with normal care. Heat is the biggest danger, from hiking in summer to leaving people or pets in cars.
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 Phoenix at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins and package theft are common; some violent crime in parts of south and west Phoenix, and downtown at night near homeless shelters. |
| At night | Scottsdale, Tempe and Roosevelt Row are busy and lit. Use rideshare rather than walking long distances between areas. |
| Solo women | Generally safe in main districts. Use rideshare at night, avoid hiking alone in summer and park in lit areas. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat, Jun–Sep; Heatstroke on desert hikes; Monsoon flash floods and dust storms |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Card skimmers at gas pumps and standalone ATMs
- Timeshare presentations offering free tickets or dinners
- Fake rideshare drivers: check plate and name in the app
Take care
- Downtown near The Zone shelter area after dark: drug use and theft
- Desert trails in summer afternoons: heatstroke and dehydration
- Isolated parking lots 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 Phoenix compares in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 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 |
| Phoenix | 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 Phoenix safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe in main districts. Use rideshare at night, avoid hiking alone in summer and park in lit areas.
Is Phoenix safe at night?
Scottsdale, Tempe and Roosevelt Row are busy and lit. Use rideshare rather than walking long distances between areas.
What is the crime rate in Phoenix?
Car break-ins and package theft are common; some violent crime in parts of south and west Phoenix, and downtown at night near homeless shelters. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Phoenix?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Phoenix
Going to Phoenix solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Phoenix meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Valley Metro
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
- Waymo
- Visit Phoenix
- 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.