United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Austin scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Austin is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution due to recent violent incidents and heightened heat risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 28 July 2026
76
/ 100
Safer than ~81% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist districts but have risen in parts of East Austin and near the downtown nightlife corridor, especially late at night
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is frequent in crowded venues such as Sixth Street, the Texas State Capitol grounds, and on public buses, particularly during festivals and concerts
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
67/100
Recent traveler forums indicate visitors feel generally secure in hotels and tourist zones but report unease in areas with visible gang activity and after recent mass‑shooting news.
Yes — Austin is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution due to recent violent incidents and heightened heat risks.
Austin scores 74/100 on the composite safety index, placing it above most countries, yet recent local news shows a spike in mass‑shooting events and heightened gang‑related violence that raise the immediate risk for travelers in certain neighborhoods.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Austin’s composite safety index of 74/100 marks it as safer than roughly three‑quarters of the world, but the city’s recent surge in violent incidents pushes the practical risk for travelers above a simple statistical reading. The dossier records three separate shooting events in March 2026—one that left three dead and fourteen injured on West 6th Street, another homicide near US 290 in northeast Austin, and a broader “shooting spree” that prompted a Reuters story. These events are clustered in the downtown nightlife zone and the northeast corridor, areas that see higher concentrations of bars, clubs, and late‑night foot traffic.
While homicide rates remain low compared with many U.S. cities, the uptick in gang‑related violence and the visibility of armed confrontations have altered the local safety perception. Travelers should treat the downtown entertainment district and the East Austin neighborhoods with heightened vigilance, especially after dark. Pickpocketing remains moderate in crowded venues such as Sixth Street, the Texas State Capitol grounds, and on public buses, so keeping bags zipped and valuables out of sight is essential.
Heat poses an additional, non‑crime hazard: July temperatures regularly hit 43 °C, creating a “dangerous heat” alert that can lead to dehydration or heat‑related illness if proper hydration and shade are not observed. The live GDACS alert for Tropical Cyclone BERTHA‑26, though located about 170 km away, reminds visitors to monitor weather updates if traveling during the Atlantic season.
Scams targeting tourists are typical for a popular music and tech hub: overpriced rideshare fares and counterfeit event tickets surface around major festivals. Using reputable ride‑share apps, confirming driver identities, and purchasing tickets only through official channels can mitigate these risks.
In sum, Austin remains largely safe for visitors who stay informed, avoid poorly lit or isolated neighborhoods after nightfall, and heed the “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory issued by the U.S. State Department. By staying in well‑populated districts, monitoring local news for sudden developments, and following basic personal‑safety practices, travelers can enjoy the city’s cultural vibrancy while minimizing exposure to the current pockets of heightened risk.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Austin districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Austin safety map.
Barton Creek GreenbeltavoidRemote trail area; limited cell service and higher risk of petty crime after dark
Downtown AustincautionTourist hub with nightlife; stay alert after dark and avoid isolated alleys
East AustincautionGrowing arts scene but higher property crime; keep valuables out of sight
North LoopcautionVibrant bars and eateries; watch for late‑night disturbances
South Congress (SoCo)saferPopular shopping area; well‑patrolled but watch for pickpockets during crowds
University of Texas CampussaferCampus security strong; normal precautions suffice
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon in tourist districts but have risen in parts of East Austin and near the downtown nightlife corridor, especially late at night
After dark, be most careful around Barton Creek Greenbelt, Downtown Austin, East Austin, North Loop. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yes — Austin is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution due to recent violent incidents and heightened heat risks. Austin scores 74/100 on the composite safety index, placing it above most countries, yet recent local news shows a spike in mass‑shooting events and heightened gang‑related violence that raise the immediate risk for travelers in certain neighborhoods. (Assessed 28 July 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Austin 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.
Field research flags Barton Creek Greenbelt as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Austin ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 76/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ 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.
Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: austin.json (CC BY 4.0).
