City in Oregon, United States
Is Portland safe?
Safe in most visitor areas, but downtown and parts of the east side have visible homelessness, open drug use and car break-ins.
Is Portland safe?
Safe in most visitor areas, but downtown and parts of the east side have visible homelessness, open drug use and car break-ins. Normal city care applies.
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 Portland at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, bike theft and street disorder downtown and around some transit stops; violent crime is concentrated in specific areas. |
| At night | Popular streets stay busy until bars close. Use rideshare rather than waiting at empty transit stops or walking through Old Town late. |
| Solo women | Generally fine in busy areas. Use rideshare late at night, avoid empty parks and transit platforms after dark. |
| Other risks | Wildfire smoke Aug–Sep; Winter ice storms; Cold-water drowning risk on rivers in summer |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Strangers asking for money at ATMs or for 'gas money'
- Parked-car windows smashed; never leave bags visible
- Bike theft; use two locks
Take care
- Old Town and Burnside late at night
- Some MAX platforms late at night
- Unattended cars at trailheads, including the Columbia Gorge
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 Portland 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 Portland safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine in busy areas. Use rideshare late at night, avoid empty parks and transit platforms after dark.
Is Portland safe at night?
Popular streets stay busy until bars close. Use rideshare rather than waiting at empty transit stops or walking through Old Town late.
What is the crime rate in Portland?
Car break-ins, bike theft and street disorder downtown and around some transit stops; violent crime is concentrated in specific areas. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Portland?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Portland
Going to Portland solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Portland meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- TriMet
- Portland International Airport
- Travel Portland
- 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.