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Is Chicago safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Chicago scores 62/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes. Chicago is generally safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and use common urban 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
Chicago 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 16 October 2026
62
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime49/100CautionCrime index 64.8 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment66/100FairMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability72Good
Health75Good
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 2026-10-07T10:48:24Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:53:58.290000-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
2.7M residents
55
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateRisk exists in crowded transit areas and tourist spots like Millennium Park and Navy Pier; higher in certain South and West Side neighborhoods.
Pickpocketing
ModerateFrequent in downtown bars and restaurants, especially in the Loop; nearly two-dozen cases reported in past two months per Chicago police.
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
66/100
Reported feel64Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Visitors report feeling safe walking alone in daylight (57/100) but less so at night (27/100), reflecting confidence in tourist zones and caution in unfamiliar areas after dark.
Yes. Chicago is generally safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and use common urban precautions.
Chicago's homicide rate is 5.8 per 100k, matching the U.S. national average, with violent crime concentrated in specific South and West Side neighborhoods. Tourist areas like the Loop, River North, and Lincoln Park remain well-patrolled and safe during daytime, though pickpocketing and robbery risks increase in crowded transit and nightlife zones.
Recent developments
- Oct 2026Sexual assault reported at frat house near University of Chicago— The Guardian
- Sep 2026Jury convicted US Customs and Border Protection agent of sexual assault and robbery in suburbs— ABC7 Chicago
- Sep 2026Man sentenced to 76 years for violently robbing or attempting to rob four Chicago banks while on parole— Department of Justice (.gov)
Common scams
- Fake ticket sales for events and attractions
- Distraction theft in bars and restaurants
Full briefing
Chicago has seen violent crime reach 10-year lows and homicides drop by 50% since 2025, according to recent safety guides. Tourist areas such as the Loop, River North, and Lincoln Park are well-patrolled and secure, with Millennium Park, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile remaining safe for visitors during daylight hours. However, neighborhood variations are significant, with crime concentrated in specific South and West Side communities far from typical visitor routes.
Pickpocketing and distraction theft are ongoing concerns in crowded settings, particularly in downtown bars and restaurants where Chicago police reported nearly two-dozen incidents in the past two months. Visitors should use anti-theft bags and remain alert on CTA trains and in busy tourist zones. After business hours, the Loop can feel empty west of State Street, so sticking to well-lit areas near Michigan Avenue and the lake is advised, or using rideshare services rather than walking alone.
Recent incidents include a sexual assault reported at a frat house near the University of Chicago in October 2026, a September conviction of a federal agent for sexual assault and robbery in the suburbs, and a Department of Justice sentence for a man who robbed four Chicago banks while on parole. While these events are isolated, they underscore the need for situational awareness. Overall, most travelers experience Chicago safely by staying in populated areas, avoiding unfamiliar side streets at night, and using common urban precautions.
Was this Chicago, United States report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Chicago districts for visitors: 4 safer, 2 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Chicago safety map.
South ShoreavoidHigher rates of violent crime and robbery; not recommended for visitors, especially after dark.
EnglewoodavoidPersistent violent crime and homicide concentrations; avoid unless with trusted local guidance.
The LoopcautionGenerally safe daytime; pickpocketing reported in bars and restaurants, especially after 6 PM.
AustincautionElevated property and violent crime; exercise caution, avoid isolated areas and nighttime travel alone.
River NorthsaferWell-patrolled tourist area with low violent crime; standard precautions advised for belongings.
Lincoln ParksaferUpscale, family-friendly neighborhood with consistent safety and strong police presence.
Hyde ParksaferHome to University of Chicago; well-lit and monitored, though isolated incidents reported near campus.
West LoopsaferTrendy dining and nightlife district with low crime; popular and well-visited by tourists.
07 · After Dark
Is Chicago safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Risk exists in crowded transit areas and tourist spots like Millennium Park and Navy Pier; higher in certain South and West Side neighborhoods.
After dark, be most careful around South Shore, Englewood, The Loop, Austin. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Chicago safety FAQ (2026)
Is Chicago safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Chicago is generally safe for visitors who stay in tourist areas and use common urban precautions. Chicago's homicide rate is 5.8 per 100k, matching the U.S. national average, with violent crime concentrated in specific South and West Side neighborhoods. Tourist areas like the Loop, River North, and Lincoln Park remain well-patrolled and safe during daytime, though pickpocketing and robbery risks increase in crowded transit and nightlife zones. (Assessed 16 October 2026.)
Is Chicago safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Chicago 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 Chicago should tourists avoid?
Field research flags South Shore, Englewood as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Chicago (2026)?
- Fake ticket sales for events and attractions
- Distraction theft in bars and restaurants
How does Chicago compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Chicago ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 62/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this chicago safety score calculated (2026)?
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: chicago.json (CC BY 4.0).