Is Savannah safe?
Safe in the historic district with normal city care. Late-night disputes and property crime are the main issues; some neighborhoods outside have higher 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 Savannah at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Car break-ins, bike theft and petty theft; occasional fights near River Street and City Market late at night. |
| At night | Squares and River Street are lively and policed on weekends. Use rideshare late rather than walking through quiet blocks. |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable in the historic district. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks and stay on lit squares. |
| Other risks | Summer heat and humidity; Hurricane season Jun–Nov; Biting midges (sand gnats) at dawn and dusk |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street vendors handing out items then asking for money
- Ghost-tour and carriage sellers with unclear prices
- Unlicensed drivers outside bars late at night
Take care
- Areas south of Gwinnett Street and west of Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
- City Market and River Street after midnight
- Parked cars with visible items
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 Savannah 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 Savannah safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable in the historic district. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks and stay on lit squares.
Is Savannah safe at night?
Squares and River Street are lively and policed on weekends. Use rideshare late rather than walking through quiet blocks.
What is the crime rate in Savannah?
Car break-ins, bike theft and petty theft; occasional fights near River Street and City Market late at night. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Savannah?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Savannah
Going to Savannah solo?
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Sources
- Chatham Area Transit
- Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
- Visit Savannah
- 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.