Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.12 districts
Is Albuquerque safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Albuquerque scores 75/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Albuquerque is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑lit, tourist‑friendly neighborhoods and follow basic precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Albuquerque 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 22 August 2026
75
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~80% of countries
What drives this score
Crime68/100FairHomicide 5.8 / 100k
Sentiment67/100FairModerately positive
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health76Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-08-18T09:29:04Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-08-16T19:46:48.7377248-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
565k residents
77
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateVisitors face moderate risk of armed or strong‑arm robbery in southeast neighborhoods and near the airport after dark; most incidents involve unattended bags or vehicles
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is most common in crowded tourist zones such as Old Town and during events at the Balloon Fiesta, particularly around bag straps and loose pockets
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Moderately positive
67/100
Reported feel68Moderately positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors generally feel safe during daylight hours in Old Town, Nob Hill, and Uptown, but many express unease walking alone after dark in the southeast quadrant.
Yes — Albuquerque is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑lit, tourist‑friendly neighborhoods and follow basic precautions.
Albuquerque’s composite safety index of 73/100 places it above most countries, with low terrorism risk and strong institutional scores, but elevated property crime and moderate violent‑crime concerns keep the overall rating moderate.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026Albuquerque police investigated a spate of vehicle break‑ins at the airport parking lot, with 12 reported thefts in one week— KOB 4 (July 12, 2026)
- Apr 2026A hate‑crime spitting incident was reported near the University of New Mexico campus, prompting a police hate‑crime investigation— Santa Fe New Mexican (April 5, 2026)
- Nov 2025Albuquerque recorded a 18% year‑over‑year decline in violent crime, according to the latest police statistics— KOAT (November 3, 2025)
Common scams
- Fake charity or street‑fundraiser solicitations targeting tourists near Old Town
- Overpriced rides or “tourist” shuttle services that charge inflated fares
- ATM skimming at gas stations and convenience stores in high‑traffic areas
Full briefing
Albuquerque is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑lit, tourist‑friendly neighborhoods and follow basic precautions. The city’s composite safety index of 73/100 ranks it above most countries, with low terrorism risk and strong institutional scores, but elevated property crime and moderate violent‑crime concerns keep the overall rating moderate.
The most recent data from the dossier shows a mixed picture: violent crime fell 18% year‑over‑year in late 2025, yet a July 2026 report from KOB 4 documented a cluster of vehicle break‑ins at the airport parking lot, and an April 2026 hate‑crime spitting incident near UNM highlighted occasional spikes in targeted harassment. Pickpocketing remains a moderate risk in crowded spots such as Old Town and during the Balloon Fiesta, while robbery is moderate in the southeast quadrants and near the airport after dark.
Scams that commonly target tourists include fake charity solicitations around Old Town, overpriced shuttle or rideshare services, and ATM skimming at gas stations. To stay safe, keep valuables hidden, use reputable transportation, park in monitored lots, and avoid poorly lit side streets in the southeast after sunset. By staying aware and limiting nighttime travel to established tourist districts, you can enjoy Albuquerque’s culture, food, and outdoor attractions with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 12 Albuquerque districts for visitors: 5 safer, 5 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Albuquerque safety map.
Albuquerque Meadowsavoidhigh property crime and frequent vehicle theft; avoid especially at night
Mountain Viewavoidnoted for elevated violent crime and gang‑related activity; stay clear after dark
Old Towncautiontourist hub with regular patrols but higher pickpocketing and vehicle theft risk after dark
Nob Hillcautionvibrant nightlife area; stay alert for petty theft and occasional street harassment after dark
Downtowncautionbusy commercial core; daytime safe, nighttime requires vigilance due to sporadic assaults and property crime
Uptowncautionshopping and business district; generally safe but watch for car break‑ins in parking lots
University Districtcautionstudent‑heavy area with lively streets; daytime fine, nighttime petty theft and occasional altercations reported
Heritage Eastsaferresidential neighborhood with low crime rates and strong community presence
Anderson Hillssaferquiet suburb with minimal reported incidents and high resident satisfaction
Volcano Trailssaferwell‑maintained area with low property crime and good lighting
North Albuquerque Acressaferaffluent suburb with very low crime and active neighborhood watch
Rancho Serenosafersecure community with low incident rates and active security patrols
07 · After Dark
Is Albuquerque safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Visitors face moderate risk of armed or strong‑arm robbery in southeast neighborhoods and near the airport after dark; most incidents involve unattended bags or vehicles
After dark, be most careful around Albuquerque Meadows, Mountain View, Old Town, Nob Hill. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Albuquerque safety FAQ (2026)
Is Albuquerque safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Albuquerque is generally safe for visitors who stay in well‑lit, tourist‑friendly neighborhoods and follow basic precautions. Albuquerque’s composite safety index of 73/100 places it above most countries, with low terrorism risk and strong institutional scores, but elevated property crime and moderate violent‑crime concerns keep the overall rating moderate. (Assessed 22 August 2026.)
Is Albuquerque safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Albuquerque report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Albuquerque should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Albuquerque Meadows, Mountain View as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Albuquerque (2026)?
- Fake charity or street‑fundraiser solicitations targeting tourists near Old Town
- Overpriced rides or “tourist” shuttle services that charge inflated fares
- ATM skimming at gas stations and convenience stores in high‑traffic areas
How does Albuquerque compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Albuquerque ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 75/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this albuquerque safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More United States reports
6 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: albuquerque.json (CC BY 4.0).