City in Pennsylvania, United States
Is Pittsburgh safe?
Safe in the main visitor areas with normal care.
Is Pittsburgh safe?
Safe in the main visitor areas with normal care. Some neighborhoods have gun violence, and hilly roads, ice and bridges cause more injuries than crime for most visitors.
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 Pittsburgh at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins and package theft; robberies in some neighborhoods after dark; South Side Flats weekend nights can bring fights. Gun violence is concentrated in a few areas. |
| At night | Lawrenceville, Shadyside and the Strip District are busy until about 2 am and generally fine. Use rideshare for South Side late. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable in busy areas. Use rideshare late, watch drinks in nightlife zones and avoid empty transit stops at night. |
| Other risks | Icy hills and roads in winter; Flash flooding along rivers after storms; Steep stairs and sidewalks in hilly areas |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Card skimmers at gas pumps and standalone ATMs
- Fake rental listings asking for deposits by wire
- Ticket scalpers outside Steelers, Penguins and Pirates games
Take care
- South Side Flats after midnight: drunken fights and thefts
- Parts of the Hill District and Homewood after dark
- Steep hills and bridges in ice and snow
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 Pittsburgh 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 |
| Pittsburgh | 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 Pittsburgh safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable in busy areas. Use rideshare late, watch drinks in nightlife zones and avoid empty transit stops at night.
Is Pittsburgh safe at night?
Lawrenceville, Shadyside and the Strip District are busy until about 2 am and generally fine. Use rideshare for South Side late.
What is the crime rate in Pittsburgh?
Car break-ins and package theft; robberies in some neighborhoods after dark; South Side Flats weekend nights can bring fights. Gun violence is concentrated in a few areas. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Pittsburgh?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Pittsburgh
Going to Pittsburgh solo?
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Sources
- Pittsburgh Regional Transit
- Pittsburgh International Airport
- VisitPittsburgh
- UPMC
- 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.