North America
Is United States safe?
—No US advisory
Is United States safe?
Safe for most visitors with normal care, but risk varies sharply by neighborhood. Gun violence is concentrated in specific areas; car break-ins and phone snatching are common in tourist cities.
Key facts
- Homicide rate: 5.8 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 12.7 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
- Solo women: Generally safe for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks in bars, and avoid empty transit stations after dark.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Car break-ins in tourist areas; leave nothing visible inside
- Gun violence, concentrated in specific neighborhoods
- Extreme heat, wildfires, hurricanes and tornadoes depending on season
- Very high medical bills without travel insurance
Common scams
- Fake ESTA sites charging extra; use esta.cbp.dhs.gov only
- Card skimmers on gas pumps and standalone ATMs
- Calls impersonating police or immigration demanding payment
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.
Safety by place in United States
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sedona | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Scottsdale | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Napa Valley | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Aspen | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Palm Springs | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Jackson Hole | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Park City | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Vail | 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 |
| Lake Tahoe | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dallas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Phoenix | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Tampa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Santa Fe | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Salt Lake City | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Grand Canyon | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Yosemite | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Asheville | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Santa Barbara | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Boulder | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Anchorage | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| St. Petersburg | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Minneapolis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pittsburgh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Jose | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Moab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Charlotte | 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 |
| Houston | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Memphis | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Detroit | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is United States safe for tourists?
Safe for most visitors with normal care, but risk varies sharply by neighborhood. Gun violence is concentrated in specific areas; car break-ins and phone snatching are common in tourist cities.
Is United States safe for solo female travelers?
Generally safe for solo women. Use rideshare late at night, watch drinks in bars, and avoid empty transit stations after dark.
What is the emergency number in United States?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- ESTA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of State, travel
- Speedtest Global Index: United States
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.