City in Texas, United States
Is San Antonio safe?
Safe in the main visitor areas with normal city care.
Is San Antonio safe?
Safe in the main visitor areas with normal city care. Property crime and heat are the main concerns; some outlying neighborhoods have higher violent crime.
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 San Antonio at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, theft from parked cars and petty theft around the River Walk and parking lots; violent crime concentrated in some outlying neighborhoods. |
| At night | The River Walk and Pearl are busy and policed on weekends. Use rideshare late rather than walking through quiet blocks. |
| Solo women | Generally fine in tourist areas. Use rideshare after dark, watch drinks at bars and avoid isolated parking decks. |
| Other risks | Extreme summer heat above 38°C; Flash floods on low-water crossings; Texas thunderstorms and hail in spring |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Pedicab and street vendors quoting prices after service
- Fake ticket sellers outside events
- Charity or petition clipboards asking for cash
Take care
- Parking lots and garages near downtown after dark
- Some East and West Side neighborhoods away from visitor areas
- Hot parked cars: never leave pets or valuables inside
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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio safe for solo female travelers?
Generally fine in tourist areas. Use rideshare after dark, watch drinks at bars and avoid isolated parking decks.
Is San Antonio safe at night?
The River Walk and Pearl are busy and policed on weekends. Use rideshare late rather than walking through quiet blocks.
What is the crime rate in San Antonio?
Car break-ins, theft from parked cars and petty theft around the River Walk and parking lots; violent crime concentrated in some outlying neighborhoods. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in San Antonio?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about San Antonio
Going to San Antonio solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in San Antonio meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- VIA Metropolitan Transit
- San Antonio International Airport
- Visit San Antonio
- 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.