United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Cleveland scores 73/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Moderate caution — Cleveland has elevated violent crime rates and residents report feeling unsafe at night; suitable for daytime visiting with standard urban awareness. The main risks for visitors are robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 29 July 2026
73
/ 100
Safer than ~77% 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
ModerateResidents report significant concern about street robbery and mugging (61/100 worry level). Risk is elevated at night; daytime risk is lower but not negligible. No specific tourist-targeting robbery pattern documented.
Pickpocketing
LowNo documented pickpocketing hotspots; standard urban caution in crowded transit and shopping areas advised.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Significant safety concerns
60/100
Only 26% of residents feel safe walking alone at night; 57% feel safe during daytime. Violent crime and drug-related activity are cited by residents as major local concerns. May 2026 reporting of rising violent crime reflects on-the-ground resident anxiety.
Moderate caution — Cleveland has elevated violent crime rates and residents report feeling unsafe at night; suitable for daytime visiting with standard urban awareness.
Cleveland's composite safety index of 66/100 places it in the moderate range, with a homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k (above global average but typical for major U.S. cities). Residents report significant safety concerns, particularly at night (only 26% feel safe walking alone after dark). Recent crime data from May 2026 confirms an uptick in violent crime; however, no specific incidents targeting visitors have been documented.
Recent developments
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Cleveland is moderately safe for visitors during daytime hours but requires realistic caution, particularly after dark. The city's composite safety score of 66/100 reflects a community dealing with elevated violent crime: the homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k is notably higher than the global average (5.2) and well above peer developed nations (Japan 0.2, Switzerland 0.6). This translates directly to lived experience—only 26% of residents report feeling safe walking alone at night, compared to 57% during daytime. Official advisories recommend normal to increased caution, reflecting the moderate-risk classification.
Recent months show documented uptick in violent crime. In May 2026, Axios reported that violent crime rates are rising in Cleveland. This prompted action: in June 2026, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a Violent Crime Reduction Operation that resulted in 11 felony arrests and recovery of 8 illegal firearms. Recent arrests, including a sex offender apprehended in July and rape suspects in June, underline that violent crime remains an active local concern. Importantly, available data does not document a pattern of crimes specifically targeting visitors—incidents are primarily within the local community.
To visit safely, prioritize daytime activity and confine evening hours to areas near your accommodation or well-trafficked commercial districts. Use rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft) or official taxis for movement after sunset, ensuring well-lit pickups. Keep valuables concealed, avoid displaying phones or jewelry, and be situationally aware when navigating neighborhoods. The city's health infrastructure is adequate, air quality is moderate (AQI 53), and there are no active severe weather warnings, so environmental concerns are low-risk. Violent street crime—not health hazards—is the primary safety factor for visitors.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 7 Cleveland districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Cleveland safety map.
East ClevelandavoidHigher reported crime rates, including violent incidents, making it an area to avoid for visitors.
GlenvilleavoidThis neighborhood has historically high crime rates, including violent crime, and should be avoided.
DowntowncautionHigh foot traffic and tourist attractions, but also higher risk of petty crime and potential for issues after dark.
Ohio CitycautionPopular for its historic architecture and West Side Market, but some areas can be less safe at night; exercise awareness.
TremontcautionKnown for its vibrant dining and arts scene, but can experience crime, particularly in less populated areas after dark.
University CirclesaferHome to cultural institutions and Case Western Reserve University, generally considered safe with good lighting and police presence.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (nearby)saferWhile not a Cleveland neighborhood, this park offers a safe natural escape; stick to marked trails and be aware of park hours.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Residents report significant concern about street robbery and mugging (61/100 worry level). Risk is elevated at night; daytime risk is lower but not negligible. No specific tourist-targeting robbery pattern documented.
After dark, be most careful around East Cleveland, Glenville, Downtown, Ohio City. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Cleveland's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Moderate caution — Cleveland has elevated violent crime rates and residents report feeling unsafe at night; suitable for daytime visiting with standard urban awareness. Cleveland's composite safety index of 66/100 places it in the moderate range, with a homicide rate of 5.8 per 100k (above global average but typical for major U.S. cities). Residents report significant safety concerns, particularly at night (only 26% feel safe walking alone after dark). Recent crime data from May 2026 confirms an uptick in violent crime; however, no specific incidents targeting visitors have been documented. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags East Cleveland, Glenville as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
No widespread visitor-targeted scams were identified in the latest research.
Cleveland ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 73/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: cleveland.json (CC BY 4.0).
