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United States · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 13 October 2026
72
/ 100
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-10T19:41:02.6992267-04:00
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
ModerateWhile overall violent crime is reported to be dropping, armed robbery remains a concern, with recent indictments and arrests noted.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePetty theft and business owners reporting an increase in petty theft suggest pickpocketing and bag-snatching are risks in busy areas.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
63/100
While some reports indicate a drop in violent crime, others highlight concerns about rising petty theft and potential increases in crime rates, leading to mixed traveler sentiment.
Buffalo is a moderately safe city for travelers, with most risks related to petty crime and specific areas.
While official advisories recommend normal precautions, Buffalo experiences property crime and occasional violent incidents. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings, particularly after dark, and avoid areas with higher crime rates.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Buffalo presents a mixed safety profile for travelers. While official advisories from Canada and the UK recommend exercising normal security precautions, local reports indicate ongoing concerns about crime. Travelers should be particularly mindful of property crime, as business owners have noted an increase in petty theft.
Recent news highlights include indictments for armed robbery and warnings from the police union about potential increases in the crime rate. Although violent crime has reportedly seen a decline, incidents such as a supermarket gunman facing the death penalty underscore the potential for serious incidents. Travelers should remain vigilant, especially in busy areas and after dark.
To ensure a safe visit, it is advisable to avoid displaying valuables, keep personal belongings secure, and use reputable transportation. While feeling safe walking alone in daylight is rated moderately high, feeling safe at night is lower, suggesting caution during evening hours. Travelers should also be aware of potential scams like distraction theft.
Was this Buffalo, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 7 Buffalo districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Buffalo safety map.
East BuffaloavoidSome areas within East Buffalo have higher crime rates and are best avoided by visitors.
Downtown BuffalocautionGenerally safe during the day, but exercise caution after dark due to potential for petty crime and muggings.
AllentowncautionKnown for its nightlife and historic architecture, but can experience increased petty crime and occasional disturbances late at night.
University District (near SUNY Buffalo State)cautionWhile generally safe, be aware of your surroundings, especially near campus areas, as petty crime can occur.
West SidecautionA diverse area with a mix of residential and commercial zones; exercise normal precautions, especially at night.
CanalsidesaferA popular entertainment district, generally well-patrolled and safe for visitors.
Elmwood VillagesaferA vibrant neighborhood with shops and restaurants, considered safe for daytime exploration.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
While overall violent crime is reported to be dropping, armed robbery remains a concern, with recent indictments and arrests noted.
After dark, be most careful around East Buffalo, Downtown Buffalo, Allentown, University District (near SUNY Buffalo State). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Buffalo is a moderately safe city for travelers, with most risks related to petty crime and specific areas. While official advisories recommend normal precautions, Buffalo experiences property crime and occasional violent incidents. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings, particularly after dark, and avoid areas with higher crime rates. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)
Safety is not one number, and this Buffalo 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 East Buffalo as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Buffalo ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 72/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 13+ 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.
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Raw data: buffalo.json (CC BY 4.0).
