Is Scottsdale safe?
One of the safest large US cities for visitors. Heat, drink-driving and Old Town bar-hours disputes are the main concerns, along with car break-ins.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 5/5, very safe.
- 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 Scottsdale at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Crime | Car break-ins and theft from parked cars; occasional fights at Old Town bars late at night. Violent crime is low. |
| At night | Old Town is busy and policed on weekends. Use rideshare late rather than driving after drinking. |
| Solo women | Very comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks in bars and avoid isolated trails after dark. |
| Other risks | Extreme summer heat and heatstroke; Dehydration on desert hikes; Rattlesnakes on trails, especially in warm months |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Fake ticket sellers for events and spring training
- Promoters outside Old Town clubs quoting hidden covers
- Timeshare presentations offering free tours
Take care
- Old Town bar district after midnight
- Unattended cars at trailheads
- Hiking in extreme heat without water
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 Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale safe for solo female travelers?
Very comfortable for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks in bars and avoid isolated trails after dark.
Is Scottsdale safe at night?
Old Town is busy and policed on weekends. Use rideshare late rather than driving after drinking.
What is the crime rate in Scottsdale?
Car break-ins and theft from parked cars; occasional fights at Old Town bars late at night. Violent crime is low. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Scottsdale?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Scottsdale
Going to Scottsdale solo?
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Sources
- City of Scottsdale
- Valley Metro
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Experience Scottsdale
- 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.