Capital city in District of Columbia, United States
Is Washington, D.C. safe?
Tourist areas and the Mall are heavily patrolled and safe.
Is Washington, D.C. safe?
Tourist areas and the Mall are heavily patrolled and safe. Crime, including robberies and carjackings, is higher in parts of the city away from visitor zones.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- 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 Washington, D.C. at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Phone snatching and robbery near Metro stations, car break-ins, and pickpocketing in crowded tourist sites. Violent crime concentrates east of the Anacostia and in parts of the northeast. |
| At night | Central areas are lively and fine; use rideshare rather than walking long distances at night or through quiet neighborhoods. |
| Solo women | Comfortable in central areas. Expect some catcalling, use rideshare late, and choose well-lit Metro cars at night. |
| Other risks | Summer heat and humidity; Winter ice and snow disruptions; Large protests that close streets and Metro stations |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Street 'tour guides' charging high prices for monument tours
- Unlicensed taxi touts at Union Station and the airports
- Strangers asking for money for transit cards or gas
- Fake charity collectors near monuments
Take care
- Metro stations and trains late at night
- Anacostia and parts of Southeast after dark
- Phone use at curbs near Metro entrances
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 Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable in central areas. Expect some catcalling, use rideshare late, and choose well-lit Metro cars at night.
Is Washington, D.C. safe at night?
Central areas are lively and fine; use rideshare rather than walking long distances at night or through quiet neighborhoods.
What is the crime rate in Washington, D.C.?
Phone snatching and robbery near Metro stations, car break-ins, and pickpocketing in crowded tourist sites. Violent crime concentrates east of the Anacostia and in parts of the northeast. Nationally, United States records 5.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Washington, D.C.?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · All emergencies 911.
More about Washington, D.C.
- Safetyacross United States
- Cost of livingin Washington, D.C.
- Weather & best timein Washington, D.C.
- Air qualityin Washington, D.C.
- Internet & coworkingin Washington, D.C.
- Getting aroundin Washington, D.C.
- Tap waterin Washington, D.C.
- LGBTQ+ friendlyin Washington, D.C.
- Healthcare & insurancein Washington, D.C.
- Solo travelin Washington, D.C.
Going to Washington, D.C. solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Washington, D.C. meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- WMATA (Metrorail and Metrobus)
- Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
- Destination DC (tourism)
- DC Water
- 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.